MEDICAL CHECK-UPS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Mr John De Payva asked the Minister for Health if his Ministry has any long-term plan to conduct bi-yearly medical check-ups for senior citizens above 65 years of age in view of our ageing population.

The Senior 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 packages. Health checks specifically for the elderly are also available at the Senior Citizens' Health Care Centres. The charges for the various types of health screening at the Government clinics are affordable. Senior citizens can avail themselves of these services for their regular medical check-ups. My Ministry is at present reviewing these services with a view to streamlining them for the benefit of the elderly in particular.