INCREASE IN FUNDS FOR MINISTRY OF HEALTH

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Minister for Health whether there has been an increase in funds to his Ministry resulting from its taking over from the Ministry of Community Development the responsibility for nursing homes, day care centres for the elderly sick, care for the terminally ill, etc.

BG George Yong-Boon Yeo: Yes, the budget of the Ministry of Health (MOH) has been increased following its taking over of responsibility for nursing homes and day care centres for the elderly sick from the Ministry of Community Development (MCD). In FY93, a sum of $5.1 million was added to MOH's recurrent budget for the nursing homes and day care centres taken over from MCD. Another sum of $18.4 million was provided for the development of new homes and day care centres, including a centre for the care of terminally ill patients.