Measures for Polyclinics and Public Healthcare Institutions to Cope With Potential Sharp Rise in Respiratory-related Illnesses Given Haze

Mr Lee Hong Chuang asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in view of the current haze situation (a) what contingency measures are in place to address any sharp increase in respiratory-related illnesses; and (b) whether polyclinics and public healthcare institutions are adequately prepared for a potential rise in respiratory-related admissions.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Ministry works closely with the Whole of Government (WOG) Haze Task Force led by the National Environment Agency to monitor the haze situation and its impact on the capacity of public healthcare institutions (PHIs). The PHIs have put in place haze preparedness measures to manage a potential rise in respiratory-related visits, which include activating additional clinical resources and surge bed capacity in public hospitals, where necessary.

Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with chronic lung or heart conditions, are advised to avoid or minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion when the 24-hour PSI levels are in the unhealthy range and to seek medical attention promptly if they are not feeling well or if symptoms do not improve with medication.