Speech by Minister for Health Mr Gan Kim Yong at the Official Launch of the Centre for Enabled Living (CEL) at City Square Mall, Sunday 18 November 2012

Mr Chua Chin Kiat, Chairman, Centre for Enabled Living,

Friends and Partners from our Voluntary Welfare Organisations and Service Providers,

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon.

I am happy to join all of you here at the LivEnabled Showcase to officially open the Center for Enabled Living, or CEL, at City Square Mall. I would like to congratulate CEL and its strategic partners for establishing this new centre.

2 To prepare for an ageing population, the government will be investing significantly in new facilities and services to support the needs of seniors. However, improving the quality of service delivery is also a key priority. We must be able to make services more accessible, more comprehensive and more seamless for those in need.

3 The opening of CEL @ City Square Mall is a commendable effort by CEL in enhancing service delivery through a new and innovative service model that is integrated and person-centric. With this project, CEL brings together the public, private and people sectors to create a one-stop service hub for residents. Residents can access information and referrals services, apply for government grants and schemes, sign up for services from VWOs and private service providers and even purchase assistive devices like wheelchairs or hearing aids at the same location. VWOs and private service providers will also benefit from being able to better outreach to caregivers and persons in need through a prominent service point like this. This is a good example of how the different sectors can come together to create a better experience that benefits persons needing care and their families overall.

4 By locating the new centre within a shopping centre, CEL @ City Square Mall will enjoy good visibility and visibility and accessibility to the public. Apart from being more accessible to persons who may need help and their caregivers, it will also reach out to members of the public to raise awareness of these services.

5 I applaud CEL for taking this visionary step to establish the first-of-its-kind shop front in City Square Mall, to bring its services closer to people. It is part of our innovative efforts to bring together the resources and capabilities in our society for the benefit of those among us who need care.

6 Thank you.