Speech by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, at the Launch of the Healthy Eating and Living Initiative by NTUC Social Enterprises, 23 June 2016

Mr Lim Boon Heng, Chairman of NTUC Enterprise

CEOs and staff of NTUC Social Enterprises

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good evening

Introduction

    I am delighted to join you today for the launch of the “Healthy Eating and Living” Initiative by NTUC Social Enterprises. I understand that this event is the first of NTUC Social Enterprises’ initiatives that aim to ensure that healthier options are accessible to all Singaporeans.

The importance of healthy living and the fight against Diabetes

2    Healthy Living, including eating right and exercising regularly, is important for everyone, and it is possible for every one of us to do this by making small changes to our day to day living. This could mean opting for healthier food when we eat out, incorporating healthier varieties of food at home or adding more physical activity, such as brisk walking, into our day.

3    Recently, we declared a war on diabetes. Contrary to what some might believe, diabetes is not a condition that affects only a handful of unlucky ones. It can affect anyone. In fact, one in three Singaporeans has a chance of getting diabetes in our lifetime. Already more than 400,000 people in Singapore are living with diabetes. If left undetected, untreated or poorly-managed, diabetes can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke. But the good news is that diabetes can be prevented.

4    In the war on diabetes, the government is focusing on three broad strategies – (i) promoting a healthy lifestyle, (ii) strengthening early screening and follow-up to find diabetes and intervene early, and (iii) supporting better disease control among those with diabetes to slow the progression of disease and reduce complications. To support these, there will also be a strong focus on education and engaging everyone to do their part. We have identified key partners in the public and private sectors, VWOs as well as the community, including the grassroots organisations, which would play important roles in our journey to fight diabetes. MOH will work with them to develop relevant initiatives and programmes for Singaporeans.

5    As individuals, we too can play a part in preventing diabetes by taking ownership of our own health. One way we can reduce our risk of developing diabetes is to pay attention to the quality of our diet, such as by managing our intake of sugar, as excessive consumption can lead to obesity, another risk factor that can contribute to diabetes. By being aware of the need to eat healthily and more conscious of the choices we make, we can take our health into our own hands and keep chronic diseases, like diabetes, away.  We can also help to encourage and remind our loved ones to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

NTUC Social Enterprises’ Healthy Eating and Living Initiative

6    I am heartened that the NTUC Social Enterprises are coming on board to help us promote a healthy lifestyle by supporting the efforts of the individuals on this journey. Through their “Healthy Eating and Living” initiative, Singaporeans can enjoy healthier options which are affordable and accessible.

7    FairPrice recently launched its promotion to offer discounts for their housebrand wholegrain rice as well as products carrying the Healthier Choice Symbol such as healthier cooking oils for a period of time. Products with the Healthier Choice Symbols are also displayed prominently on special promotional shelves in Fairprice stores to attract and nudge shoppers to make informed, healthier choices. I have been told that the response so far has been positive. I hope more Singaporeans will be encouraged to pick up these healthier products as they go grocery shopping.

8    FairPrice and Foodfare outlets are also partnering the Health Promotion Board to educate consumers on healthier food choices and raise awareness of healthy living through the deployment of Health Ambassadors on site at the supermarkets and food outlets, to spread the healthy living message to more Singaporeans. Foodfare’s Rice Garden stalls are using healthier oils in their cooking, and the rest of Foodfare stalls are also moving in this direction. Foodfare also sells lower sugar drinks at a cheaper price. These efforts will give Singaporeans better access to healthier food when they eat out.

9    In addition, NTUC First Campus is also starting pre-schoolers at My First Skool and The Little Skool-House International on healthier meals through the Health Promotion Board’s Healthy Meals in Childcare Centres Programme. This is an important initiative as starting children on eating healthy from young will go a long way in ensuring that children develop life-long healthy eating habits.

10    At the workplace, NTUC Social Enterprises are working with the Health Promotion Board to encourage their employees to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives by taking more steps. To date, over 700 of their employees are participating in the corporate version of the National Steps Challenge and have collectively clocked over 287 million steps in two months. NTUC Social Enterprises are also working with the Health Promotion Board to co-create other customised health programmes for their workers.

11    I welcome all these initiatives by the NTUC Social Enterprises. Through leveraging their extensive network, they are making healthier living and choices more accessible and affordable for Singaporeans.

Conclusion

12    In closing, let me thank NTUC Social Enterprises for their support for our War on Diabetes. I would like to encourage more corporate entities and other stakeholders to similarly join in our national effort towards healthier living. In combining efforts to raise awareness of the importance of adopting healthier habits and choices, we can support Singaporeans in preventing the onset of chronic diseases, like diabetes, and to lead full and healthy lives.

13    I wish everyone good health and a very enjoyable evening.

Thank you.