ATTENDANCE FEES AT OUTPATIENT CLINICS (Exemption for the Handicapped and Disabled)

Dr Koh Lam Son asked the Acting Minister for Health whether his Ministry will consider waiving or reducing the attendance fees at Government outpatient clinics for handicapped or disabled inmates of welfare homes.

The Acting Minister for Health (Mr Yeo Cheow Tong): Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry is already granting free outpatient and inpatient medical treatment to all residents of welfare homes run by the Ministry of Community Development and approved voluntary welfare organizations. For residents in other welfare homes, my Ministry will grant free medical treatment to those who are issued with a Medical Fee Exemption Card (MFEC) by the Ministry of Community Development. I would like to assure the House that my Ministry will always accord special consideration to the indigent whether they are handicapped or not.

Dr Koh Lam Son (Telok Blangah): Sir, what are the criteria for the eligibility of the Medical Fee Exemption Card?

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The criteria will include factors like whether they have children who are able to support them, whether they have a Medisave account, the amount of savings that they have, and whether the household members' incomes qualify under the means test as determined by the Ministry of Finance.