MATERNITY AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRE (Establishment in Toa Payoh Housing Estate)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Cheong Yuen Chee asked the Minister for Health if he will take the necessary steps to expedite the setting up of a multi-purpose health clinic in Toa Payoh, taking into consideration that more than 100,000 residents stay in that area.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health (Mr Chor Yeok Eng) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, a Maternity and Child Health Centre is to be established at the Toa Payoh Housing Estate. According to the Housing and Development Board, the building is expected to be completed by March or April 1971.

The Ministry of Health does not, however, propose to establish an outpatient dispensary in the area as it is Government's general policy that the outpatient dispensary services should not be further expanded. Further expansion of the outpatient service may result in the overlapping of the services provided by general practitioners. There are now adequate numbers of general practitioners practising both within and without the Toa Payoh Housing Estate.

However, the Government's maternal and child health service will continue to expand and Maternal and Child Health Clinics within which family planning services also operate will continue to be established wherever there is a need for them. This is in line with the Government's policy of giving priority and the best of health care to our children and pregnant mothers.