Speech by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health, at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine Public Health Service 2015 event

Dr Tan Wu Meng, Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC

Associate Professor Yeoh Khay Guan, Dean, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning.

Introduction

It gives me great pleasure to join you at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine’s 10^th Public Health Service (PHS) event. It’s heartening to see so many residents here today.

2    Since its inauguration in 2004, PHS has screened more than 15,000 residents over the past decade. Last year, about 1,400 residents participated in the health screening. Nearly 400 of these participants were assessed to either have high blood pressure, high blood glucose or high cholesterol and were encouraged to seek follow-up treatment from a doctor. Of this, 54.7% dutifully visited their doctors for further checks. I am glad that the residents are taking responsibility for their own health.

Be responsible for your own health

3    I encourage participants of today’s event to similarly follow up on any actions required from the screening. By doing this, we can actively take the right steps towards achieving and maintaining good health and managing any risk factors or chronic health conditions that we may have.

4    To keep healthy, it is up to ourselves to make healthy decisions on our lifestyles. For example, we can make physical activity enjoyable by going for an evening walk with our family. We can actively choose to consume a more balanced that is diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low in fats. We are spoilt for choice with the availability of healthier options, whether we are dining in or eating out. To keep our bodies healthy, I also encourage everyone to stay smoke-free and limit our alcohol intake. To keep our minds healthy, let us stay connected with family and friends.

5    PHS this year has placed a greater emphasis on taking responsibility for one’s own health. I understand the students will be conducting health quizzes throughout this two-day event to encourage all of us to learn and understand more about our own health and what healthy living constitutes. There are also exhibition booths aimed at health promotion. Please take the time to visit the booths to learn more.

Regular health screening is important

6    It is never too late for us to go for recommended health screening tests according to our age, gender and health risk profile. This allows for the early detection of health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension or cancers such as breast, colorectal and cervical cancer.

7    With colorectal, breast and cervical cancers being among the 10 most common cancers in Singapore[1], it is important to get screened and detect these conditions early, even if you feel perfectly well, or do not notice any symptoms or signs of disease. Early detection, followed by treatment and good control of the condition, can result in better health outcomes and lower the risk of serious complications. Do remember that being screened once is not enough. You should go for your health screening tests regularly based on the recommended intervals.

8    If you are female and aged 50 or older, and have not gone for a mammogram in the last two years, please sign up today for a screening mammogram, at no cost with your Health Assist card.

9    This year, the screening package has been enhanced to include an oral health check, which is an equally important component of overall health. I encourage those who have not visited a dentist recently to allow our dental students to take a look at your teeth and gums, and to offer advice for good oral health.

Timely follow-up can improve quality of life

10    Health screening is important, but what is just as important is for you to follow-up with your doctor after screening, especially if any abnormalities are detected in any of your screening results.

11    Participants who require further medical attention are given the option to take up a complimentary review with the National University Health System’s (NUHS) primary care partner, Frontier Family Medicine Clinic (Frontier FMC). Last year, more than 80% of the participants who were referred to Frontier FMC turned up to see a doctor there. This is very good, as prompt treatment can improve our health outcomes and quality of life.

Conclusion

12    In closing, I commend our medical students for taking time off their studies to organise this free health screening service to give back to society. Beyond helping the residents, you are also passing on the spirit of giving by spending time with the students from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) to inspire them to promote good eating and lifestyle habits to those around them, as part of the new Young Health Ambassador Programme which ACS(I) is piloting this year.

13    I also thank NUHS as well as the many partners and sponsors who have lent their support one way or another, to nurture a healthier and empowered population here in the west of Singapore.

14    现在,让我以华语与大家简单地分享今天的活动。这项活动是由国大医学院的学生主办,同时也有不少来自护士学院的义工参与,为居民提供免费的健康检查。

15    健康就是财富。希望各位要注意自己的健康。除了均衡的饮食,大家也应该多做运动,定期做身体检验。在做检验之后,我们也应该根据报告,做出适当的跟进。这样,大家可以活得更健康,更快乐!

16    50岁或以上的女士们,如果您在过去两年内还没有做乳房X光检查,希望你们赶紧在今天的活动上报名。通过社保援助计划,您无需付费。

17    在这里,我要感谢主办单位和所有的义工,为居民热心服务。我也祝大家身体健康。谢谢。

[1] Singapore Cancer Registry, Interim Annual Report, Trends in Cancer Incidence in Singapore 2010-2014.