Number of HFMD cases hit another high, 2 more schools close

Two more schools have been forced to close - just as the holidays started - because cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) have hit another high.

The Japanese Kindergarten in West Coast and the Metropolitan YMCA Child Care & Development Centre in Hougang each had more than 16 pupils fall sick over 24 days.

They were asked to close on Wednesday, and will reopen in two weeks. The development brings the number of schools currently shut to four.

Five childcare centres and two kindergartens are on the Ministry of Health watchlist, which means more than 10 pupils have become ill at each over 16 days.

More got Medifund aid in 2010

SINGAPORE - More than $78 million of Medifund aid was given to needy Singaporean patients in 2010, $14 million more than in the previous year.

The biggest chunk of that sum, amounting to about $68.2 million, was disbursed to patients with acute needs. The remaining $10.5 million went to those who required intermediate and long-term care.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a statement yesterday that there were 480,869 successful applications for Medifund in 2010, from 393,980 successful applications in 2009, an increase of 86,889 or 22.1 per cent.

The number of successful applications does not represent the actual number of patients who received the grants, as a patient can make multiple applications.

The MOH added that it distributed $81 million of Medifund and Medifund Silver - meant for needy patients aged 65 and above - to Medifund- approved institutions such as restructured hospitals, and care facilities such as hospices and nursing homes.

There are 37 Medifund- approved institutions, according to MOH.

Of these, 13 are restructured hospitals and institutions while the rest are facilities that provide intermediate and long-term care (ILTC).

Up to 473,033 successful applications were made via restructured hospitals and institutions in 2010, while those from ILTC facilities, such as hospices and nursing homes, amounted to 7,836.

The Medifund scheme was introduced in 1993 to help needy Singaporeans who are unable to finance their medical expenses, even with funds from Medisave and MediShield.

It is meant mainly to provide a safety net for lower-income Singaporeans but it can also be tapped by better-off Singaporeans who need help with exorbitant medical bills.

Out of the total number of successful applicants in 2010, more than 92 per cent had their bills fully subsidised.

Outpatient treatment accounted for 96 per cent of the applications made via restructured hospitals and institutions.

On average, the sum given to help patients cope with their medical bills ranged from $1,321 for inpatient admission to $94 for outpatient treatment.

Grants given to needy elderly patients rose by 22.8 per cent in 2010, from about $18.9 million in 2009 to $23.2 million in 2010.

More financial help with medical bills: Health Minister

More patients can expect financial help with their medical bills in the coming years as the Ministry of Health (MOH) beefs up its subsidies and other helplines, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong in his addenda to the President's Address.

Already, recent changes meant that half of all Singaporeans aged 40 and over will be able to enjoy subsidies when they get treated by their family doctor.

The Government will also increase subsidies for those needing step-down care, such as nursing homes or rehabilitation care, he said when setting out the health social safety net.

MediShield and Eldershield insurance will also be enhanced.

The broad-stroke objectives for the MOH is to provide better health, better care, better value and better support for ageing so all Singaporeans can 'live well, live long and enjoy peace of mind'.

9 out of 10 seniors resilient, but many don't exercise

Nine out of 10 senior citizens are hardy enough to live independently, according to a survey of 2,558 old folk in Marine Parade.

But almost 400 of them show worrying signs of depression or dementia. A similar number also say they suffered a fall in the preceding 12 months.

Worse, more than half of these folk aged 60 and older confess they do not exercise.

These findings of a Health Ministry survey, done between March and June this year, were unveiled last night at a dialogue Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong had with residents.

HARDY BUT...
Government survey of 2,600 elderly people in Marine Parade finds:
94.3% : Can live independently
71.4% : Do not need health or social services
94% : Have good relationship with family
78.4% : Suffer at least one chronic disease
52% : Do not exercise
15% : Fell in the last 12 months
14.6% : Show signs of depression or dementia
10.6% : Live alone
Source: Ministry of Health

More affordable outpatient care for those with chronic illnesses

SINGAPORE - The Government will make outpatient medical care more affordable to more Singaporeans with chronic illnesses, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in his National Day Rally.

PM Lee admitted that the Government could do better with outpatient treatment, higlighting two groups of people who need more support.

One group needing long-term care is the elderly, who are bedridden or with Alzheimer's. Click here to find out more! Another group is patients with chronic ailments like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes.

PM Lee recognised that the lower income of these groups require regular checkups and long-term medication. However, they tend to skip appointments or halve their medication to save costs. He said that outpatient care needs to be more "affordable and accessible".

For low income patients who fall into these two categories, a scheme will be extended to them to ensure that they receive general practitioner treatment at polyclinic rates. The qualifying age for the Primary Care Partnership Scheme (PCPS) will be lowered from 65 to 40 years.

Also, the income criteria will be revised to include more households. The government will also increase subsidies for more expensive drugs to help those with chronic ailments. The Ministry of Health will provide more details later.