Two health initiatives launched to help residents in western Singapore
Health initiatives launched in Chua Chu Kang, Bukit Gombak
Two health initiatives were launched yesterday to better serve the needs of residents in western Singapore.
One involves installing more automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in Bukit Gombak, and the other is the setting up of six community health posts in Chua Chu Kang.
Some 37 AEDs will be installed in Bukit Gombak over the next two years, including in private condominiums.
The move, spearheaded by the Bukit Gombak Citizens' Consultative Committee, will help ensure more people survive heart attacks that occur outside of hospitals. Only one in five survives such incidents.
The community health posts in Chua Chu Kang are meant to help people aged 40 and above better manage chronic health conditions.
The posts, staffed by nurses and care coordinators, will be set up in the four community clubs in Chua Chu Kang GRC, as well as AlKhair Mosque and Ar-Raudhah Mosque.
"Basic health assessments are conducted to identify those with early signs of health decline, who will then be advised to seek further medical evaluation," said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong at the launch.
"If needed, they can help to facilitate referrals to primary care or community services for such evaluations," added Mr Gan, who is also an MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC.
At a separate event yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah spoke of the role the community played in making ageing a positive experience for all Singaporeans.
Growing old must not be a lonely or frightening experience but a fulfilling one, she said.
"The Government will do its part... But building hospitals, senior care centres, polyclinics - that's only part of it," said Ms Indranee. "The other part of it is the community because there are some things that don't need medical care but (people) need help for, like loneliness."
Ms Indranee was speaking at a charity event at the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in Tank Road. It was organised by the Chettiars' Temple Society.
At the event, seven seniors each got a gift of a motorised wheelchair, and the society also donated a $130,000 mobile clinic to the Sunlove Abode for Intellectually-Infirmed.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
