Speech by Mr Chan Heng Kee, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, at the Singapore Patient Conference, 19 October 2018

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen

Good morning.

1.    I am delighted to join you today at this Singapore Patient Conference. Let me first congratulate the winners of the Singapore Patient Awards. Each of you has shown great generosity and strength in supporting patients on their care journeys.

2.   The theme for today’s conference - “Active Ageing for Life” – is most fitting. For Singapore is aging rapidly. Today, about 1 in 7 to 8 Singaporeans are above the age of 65. By 2030, 1 in 4 Singaporeans will be above the age of 65.

3.    More often than not, when it comes to ageing, we tend to adopt a negative tone. At the individual level, we talk about losing independence. At the family level, we worry about caregiving responsibilities. At the societal level, we speak of rising social spending and healthcare demand.

4.    These are all valid concerns. Without a doubt, care needs will rise as we age. But I think we should also remember that longer life span is a reflection of progress. It is something worth celebrating. Especially if we can live more of our later years in a healthy, productive and fulfilling manner.

5.    On this, Singapore is starting from a good position.

• Our seniors are ageing better. Our Health Adjusted Life Expectancy (HALE) - in layman terms, this means the number of years we live in good health, free of major disability or disease - is among the highest in the world.

• Our seniors are more educated. This will continue to increase among the younger cohorts.

• Family and social ties remain strong, and social attitudes towards our elderly remain supportive. The majority of Singaporeans receive some form of support from family members, and many also have friends they can call on.

6.    We should build from this strong position and help more Singaporeans make good use of our longer years to live fulfilling lives and turn longevity into a positive force.

7.    The healthcare family plays an important role in this. By this, I am not just referring to our traditional role in treating illnesses and curing diseases. Rather, there are at least 3 other areas where we can play a larger part. These are:

• Promoting Good Health and Active Ageing

• Adding Life to Years

• Activating the Community

PROMOTING GOOD HEALTH AND ACTIVE AGEING

8.    First, we can do more and do better in helping our seniors stay healthy and well. This is why we are investing more to promote good health and to support them in maintaining physical wellness. For example, The Health Promotion Board (HPB) is rolling out many active ageing programmes to encourage seniors to exercise regularly and stay healthy. One of their programmes - Sundays at the Park - encourage seniors to stay trim and fit through the latest Kpop and jazz fitness workouts!

9.    More recently, we launched Project Silver Screen - a vision, hearing and dental screening programme for seniors. Those assessed to have some problems can take prompt follow-up actions, such as getting a pair of glasses, a hearing aid or dentures. More than 23,000 seniors have already participated in the programme. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Temasek Foundation Cares for working with MOH on the programme, and the National Healthcare Group for being one of the partners.

ADDING LIFE TO YEARS10.   Second, more than adding years to life, we should add life to years. This means enabling our seniors to enjoy their silver years, and stay socially and mentally engaged.

11.   One good example is the Share-a-Pot programme for seniors, started by Khoo Teck Puat hospital in their vicinity. This is a simple concept that aims to replicate the fond memories we have of family dinners. Seniors come together, enjoy a bowl of nutritious soup, and exercise in groups. Those who can contribute more, do so. I understand that there are even market stall owners who donate fresh ingredients for each pot. Share-a-Pot has since spread to different locations.

ACTIVATING THE COMMUNITY12.   The public healthcare family cannot do all these alone. To multiply the impact and close the last mile, we need to work with likeminded organisations and individuals. And there are many out there today.

13.  Take for example, the Silver Generation Ambassadors. SGAs are individual volunteers who form the first line of support for seniors. They go door to door to communicate government support schemes, so that seniors know where to get help when they need it. They also link seniors up with active ageing programmes, and identify lonely or frail seniors with social and health needs.

14.    Today, we will witness another good example - Temasek Foundation Cares and Tan Tock Seng Hospital's Centre for Health Activation are launching a pilot programme called 'Temasek Foundation Cares - CHAMPS', which stands for ‘Centre for Health Activation Mobilises Para-Clinical Seniors’. This pilot programme will train senior volunteers in para-clinical skills, and empower them to help patients and others in the community. I hope seniors will sign up for this programme, and enjoy the process of learning a new skill and helping others.

SINGAPORE PATIENT AWARDS15.     Later today, we will have the opportunity to recognise another group of selfless individuals who have improved the lives of others. Take for example Madam Daliah Binte Buang, who has been caring for her bed-bound 91-year-old mother for thirteen years. Caring for a bed-bound patient is no easy feat. Yet Madam Daliah finds the strength to care for her grandniece as well as her grandnephew, who suffers from autism. For her dedication, Madam Daliah will be receiving the Singapore Patient Caregiver Award.

16.    There are many more heart-warming stories among our Singapore Patient Action Award winners. May I ask you to join me in giving them a round of applause to recognise their contributions and spirit!

CONCLUSION

17.    Ladies and Gentlemen, Mdm Daliah, Share-a-Pot and the Temasek Foundation Cares – CHAMPS programme are a few examples of how we can help stay well in our silver years, and help others be well, too. With community support, and with a positive mind-set and an open heart, I am sure we can forge many more active aging groups and communities of care. Together, we can make Singapore a successful aging society.  

18.     Thank you and enjoy the rest of the conference.