SINGAPORE – Some 300,000 people would have enrolled for the Healthier SG preventive health programme by Sunday, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung as he gave an update on the national initiative.
Speaking before he flagged off the Ready, Set, Gold! charity walk on Sunday, Mr Ong urged more people to sign up for the programme, noting that it can help to lower their healthcare costs.
“When you see a (general practitioner) and get chronic medicine, (it) will be cheaper,” he said.
The programme, which was officially launched in July, is meant for those aged 40 and above. Those enrolled will work with their family doctors to come up with a health plan that includes lifestyle changes and regular check-ups. The aim is to sign up one million people by 2024.
Besides Healthier SG, there is also the Age Well SG programme announced during the National Day Rally in August, for elderly Singaporeans who may find it challenging to venture out, Mr Ong said on Sunday.
Age Well SG will provide activities near residential areas to encourage interaction among the elderly as they exercise and look after their health, he added.
Sunday’s 1.4km charity walk, which started at Bukit Canberra ActiveSG Sport Hall, ended at Blossom Seeds centre at 105 Canberra Street.
Some 1,900 participants and 50 organisations, including the Agency for Integrated Care, Youth Corps Singapore and Canberra Secondary School, took part in the event organised by Blossom Seeds, which provides care for seniors.
A Blossom Seeds spokesman said that half of the participants were aged 60 and above.
Among them was Madam Mui Pi Kon, 84, who told The Straits Times that she was overjoyed to be able to join the walk. She was among the seniors with mobility issues who participated in the walk with the help of volunteers pushing their wheelchairs.
“My son asked how I was going to join the walk when I could barely walk on my own. I told him I was able to join because there would be people pushing me on a wheelchair,” said Madam Mui in Mandarin.
“I am very happy to be able to join today’s walk. I have always wanted to experience what it feels like to join a mass walk.”
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