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05 Jul 2007, The Straits Times
Question
Name of the Person: Ronald Lee Yew Kee
Make it easier to keep tabs on diseases
THE Health Promotion Board has produced three booklets for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorder and stroke.
One of the booklets lists what Medisave can be used for, such as medical consultations, laboratory tests, prescribed medication and physio, occupational and speech therapy.
I find it disturbing that purchases of glucometer/glucometer strips, blood pressure-monitoring set and also wheelchair are not included.
Could the Ministry of Health consider allowing patients with such chronic diseases the use of their Medisave to buy the paraphernalia?
Reply
Reply from MOH
In "Make it easier to keep tabs on diseases", Mr Ronald Lee Yew Kee (ST, 4 Jul) asked that Medisave be allowed to buy glucometer, glucometer strips and blood pressure-monitoring set under the Medisave for Chronic Disease Management Programme.
While glucometer has been found to benefit some insulin-dependant patients, the evidence is less clear with the rest of the diabetics. In any case, such medical consumables are inexpensive and generally affordable. As they can be resold, they are also prone to abuse which we have to guard against. The use of Medisave for chronic outpatients should primarily be for essential care that will improve outcome for the patients.
We should remember that Medisave is actually meant for hospitalisation during old age and we should not unwittingly deplete it prematurely.