MEDICAL CHECK-UPS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AT COMMUNITY CENTRES

Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Health if his Ministry has plans to work with grassroots leaders to conduct regular bi-yearly medical check-ups for senior citizens above 65 years of age at the community centres for the convenience of the elderly.

The Minister of State for Health (Dr Aline K. Wong) (for the Minister for Health): Mr Speaker, Sir, medical check-up services for people over the age of 40 years are available in all Government clinics. These range from simple checks for high blood pressure and diabetes to the more comprehensive health screening package. In addition, health checks specifically for the elderly aged 60 and above are available at the Senior Citizens' Health Care Centres.

Currently, many grassroots organisations work with other voluntary associations and sponsors to offer health screening to senior citizens. Some of these have the help of volunteer doctors and nurses. As these voluntary groups are already doing a fine job, there is no need for the Ministry to be involved.

Mr Yeo Toon Chia (Ang Mo Kio GRC): Sir, is it not possible for the Ministry to work with the grassroots leaders to provide some health care service for the senior citizens, especially for those over 65 years old? I know that the polyclinics provide the normal check-ups but the time wasted in queuing up at the polyclinics is very long, especially in the mornings. Will the Ministry look into it?

Dr Aline Wong: I think we have to take into consideration the resources within which the Ministry is working. Since health screening is normally done once a year and, at most, twice a year, grassroots organisations can organise these health screening services right in the constituency together with doctors and nurses who live around the area and who are able to volunteer their services. If grassroots organisations cannot organise this regularly, family members can and should take time off to bring their elderly parents for their regular health check-ups.

Mr Yeo Toon Chia: If the grassroots organisations would like to organise such services for the senior citizens, will the Ministry consider helping them by providing nurses and medical officers?

Dr Aline Wong: If we receive requests of this nature, we could consider them within the resources that we have.