Outpatient Treatment for Chronic Disease

21 Jan 2008

Question No:  99  

Question

Name of the Person: Mdm Halimah Yacob

To ask the Minister for Health (a) out of the total pool of patients who are eligible to use their Medisave to seek outpatient treatment for certain chronic diseases such as diabetes, how many have made use of the scheme; (b) how much is the total amount withdrawn; and (c) how many doctors out of the total number of eligible doctors have applied to be put under this scheme.

Reply

Reply From MOH

1. 91,000 patients have made use of their Medisave to pay for the outpatient treatment of their chronic diseases.  They have withdrawn a total of $17 million from their Medisave Accounts.

2. We estimate a total of 1 million Singaporeans who can potentially benefit from this scheme.  Many however are probably unaware of their condition.  That is why it is important for everyone to go for basic health screening and to consult their family GP if they have such a condition.  The Medisave scheme is now available to help pay for their treatment.

3. Chronic diseases can be competently managed by all qualified GPs.  734 or half of all GP clinics are now participating in the Medisave scheme.  This means that there is at least one participating clinic within walking distance for most Singaporeans.