Haze subsidy scheme to cease with the end of dry season 2013

           With the end of the dry season in the region, the National Environment Agency has assessed that the likelihood of trans-boundary haze affecting Singapore for the rest of the year will be low. As such, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will cease the Haze Subsidy Scheme with effect from 31 October 2013.

2          The Haze Subsidy Scheme, which started on 21 June 2013, was implemented as a special scheme to ensure that vulnerable groups of Singaporeans had convenient access to affordable treatment for haze-related conditions. Under this scheme, medical fees were capped at $10 for eligible Singapore citizens seeking treatment at participating GP clinics¹ or polyclinics for haze-related conditions, with MOH subsidising the remaining costs for the patient.

3          More than 670 GP clinics have participated in the scheme. Over 17,000 haze-related attendances were seen at the GP clinics and polyclinics, with close to $500,000 in government subsidies provided.

4          The Ministry would like to express our sincere appreciation to our GP partners and polyclinics for lending a helping hand to our residents during the haze.

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¹ Singapore citizens eligible for subsidies at the participating clinics include:
   i. All Singaporean children (aged 18 and below) or elderly citizens (aged 65 and above); OR
   ii. Adult Singapore Citizens (aged 19 to 64) who are on any of the following assistance schemes:
        a. Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)
        b. Public Assistance (PA)
        c. Medical Fee Exemption Card (MFEC)
        d. Medical Fee Assistance Card (MFAC) ; OR
        e. self-declare that they have a monthly income of $1,500 or less (averaged over the last six months).