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Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
More synergy on the cards for initiatives like Healthier SG, Age Well SG: Ong Ye Kung
Minister of Health Ong Ye Kung (in red) warming up with participants before a walk at the Healthy Living Festival @ North West held at the Turf Club on June 1. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN More synergy on the cards for initiatives like Healthier SG, Age Well SG: Ong Ye Kung SINGAPORE – In his second term as Health Minister, Mr Ong Ye Kung wants to create greater synergy among national initiatives like Healthier SG and Age Well SG. Healthier SG is a preventive health programme under the Health Ministry (MOH), while Age Well SG, which helps seniors age well in their communities, is led by MOH, the Transport Ministry and the Ministry of National Development. 'Last few years, what we did (was) we rolled out major strategies: Healthier SG, Age Well SG,' Mr Ong said on June 1. 'This term, with me still at MOH, what we really need is to do is to join forces.' Speaking to reporters at a community event organised by the North West District at the Turf Club, he gave one example of how Age Well SG, under which community health posts have been set up at active ageing centres, complement Healthier SG. 'Someone with chronic illness, someone unsure of their health status, can always approach the community health posts,' he said, adding that these health posts are touchpoints which help residents stick to personalised health plans drawn up under Healthier SG, he said. 'The community health posts not just need to proliferate, you need to intensify the kind of services you can deliver,' Mr Ong added. Around nine out of 10 active ageing centres have such health posts, or have one nearby . They are staffed by nurses, and have been set up by the three healthcare clusters in Singapore to attend to patients . When asked if any groups may need more encouragement to get on board with health initiatives, Mr Ong said such needs are unique to individuals. He gave the example of how residents in their 40s and 50s who sought treatment for other ailments at the Woodlands Health Campus were found to have undiagnosed advanced chronic illnesses. 'Through Healthier SG, (we can) discover, detect people with underlying chronic illnesses and then encourage them to develop their health plan and do something about it.' said Mr Ong. Healthier SG has garnered more than a million sign-ups since its launch in July 2023. 'Don't just sign up. Must turn up, and follow up,' Mr Ong told more than 2,000 participants who had signed up for a brisk walking event at the Turf Club, urging them to stick to their health plans. The brisk walk was part of a three-day community sports event called Healthy Living Festival @ North West, that ends on June 1 evening. It also marked the completion of a month-long SG60 Healthier Together Movement by the North West District. The aim was for residents to clock 60,000km through activities such as walking, running, swimming and cycling. Local company Lih Ming Construction pledged $60,000 to support the cause, with the funds used to support needy families. As at June 1, residents had cumulatively clocked 88,502km, exceeding the target. Minister of Health Ong Ye Kung (in red) and North West District Mayor Alex Yam flagging off a walk at the Healthy Living Festival @ North West held at the Turf Club on June 1. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN The North West District consists of Bukit Panjang SMC and four GRCs – Holland-Bukit Timah, Marsling-Yew Tee, Nee Soon and Sembawang. District Mayor Alex Yam said seniors currently make up around 70 per cent of participants at its community activities, and he wants to attract more younger residents. One regular participant is Mr Terence Teo, 43. Since 2022, he has joined around 30 others at the North West Brisk Walking Club for a 2km neighbourhood walk on Sunday mornings. The IT operations executive said the club has grown from around 20 people when he first joined, to nearly 40 persons today. Most participants are between 50 and 60 years old, with his seven-year-old daughter the youngest member. Mr Teo said he enjoys chatting with other members, adding that the walks are as much about healthy living as they are about getting to know the neighbours. 'These days, a lot of neighbours don't even know each other, until the last day, when they are moving out,' he said. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
28-04-2025
- Health
- CNA
GE2025: Ong Ye Kung says he can best serve Sembawang GRC residents if he is both MP and minister
SINGAPORE: Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Monday (Apr 28) he will watch over the welfare of Sembawang and Woodlands town residents from Cabinet if elected, as he pointed out the benefits of having an MP who is also a minister. He gave an example, saying that as health minister, he drove the implementation of Age Well SG, expanded the network of Active Ageing Centres and gave more funding to each centre. When he saw that the Sembawang Active Ageing Centres became better resourced from the Ministry of Health (MOH), he worked with volunteers to expand the range of activities for seniors. 'It is extremely satisfying when I can see the policies made in MOH in Outram Road land in Sembawang and benefitting the residents here,' said Mr Ong, whose People's Action Party (PAP) team will be contesting Sembawang GRC against the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Solidarity Party (NSP). 'I cannot do this if I am not the minister for health, and the MP of Sembawang at the same time. The SDP thinks it is a problem. I think they are trying to hoodwink you. I can best serve you when I am both a Minister and an MP." Speaking at PAP's rally in Sembawang, Mr Ong highlighted the improvements made by MPs to Sembawang over the years, including building the Bukit Canberra community hub, which also houses Singapore's largest Active SG gym. The empty field in Admiralty is now Yusof Ishak Mosque and home to a regional hospital, the Woodlands Health hospital and more projects are in the pipeline, he said. This includes developing the area around the future Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) station in Woodlands to provide new homes, entertainment, recreation, community facilities, parks and workplaces. 'One thing (the SDP) says, I think is disingenuous, they say all these plans and projects that I just described to you, they are going to happen anyway, because the PAP will be the government. 'Whoever is the MP, never mind. Choose (the SDP), and all these things that I just mentioned will still happen,' he said. 'Really, I don't think SDP can come here for one month and make such sweeping statements.' Besides Mr Ong, the other four PAP candidates at Sembawang GRC are Mr Vikram Nair, Ms Mariam Jaafar, Mr Gabriel Lam and Mr Ng Shi Xuan. All five candidates, along with Ms Poh Li San - PAP candidate at Sembawang West SMC - were at the rally held at a field beside Sun Plaza. During his speech, Mr Ng said he asked Mr Ong if there is scope for people with 'very healthy balances' to use more of their MediSave. This came after Mr Ng said he spoke to a senior resident who posed him the question. '(Mr Ong) said he has an open mind and it's something the ministry has been studying. So many healthcare policies have been transformed under Min Ong; I hope we have a policy for this one soon,' said Mr Ng. Ms Mariam outlined improvements to Sembawang GRC that the team is hoping to implement if elected. She said they would focus even more on youths in Sembawang, launching new community scholarships for those who make a positive impact on the community, regardless of their background. They are also looking to expand the Store@Woodlands Programme, which provides food and essential items to low-income and vulnerable families. 'To me, being your MP is more than about making speeches inside parliament, it's about making your lives better outside of parliament, today and in the future,' said Ms Mariam. Mr Lam said that if he is elected to parliament, he would like to see more support for ex-convicts. He would do so by helping their families, providing the former offenders – which he called 'overcomers' – with the right employment opportunities and issuing refurbished laptops to their children who might not be able to afford new devices. During her speech, Ms Poh, who is up against SDP's Chee Soon Juan in Sembawang West SMC, said that this is not a time for "political experiments". 'It deserves a proven person. Someone who's been here with you. Someone who knows what is at stake," said Ms Poh, who represented the Sembawang West division of Sembawang GRC after the last election. The recent electoral boundary changes saw the creation of Sembawang West SMC from Sembawang GRC. She acknowledged that Dr Chee is passionate and has walked a long political path, but has not served 'a community from within'. 'Passion alone does not build playgrounds, nor support seniors, nor comfort a struggling family.' She said that Sembawang West was only just getting started. 'We are ready for the next chapter. We need a clear path forward. We need chapter two of Sembawang West to be bold, compassionate and rooted in experience.'
Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Seniors are taking the kampung spirit beyond the neighbourhood
Senior citizens participating in a mass exercise at Esther Active Ageing Centre. An NUS study has shone new light on what kampung spirit means for seniors today. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Much is being done to help seniors in Singapore age in place and thrive in doing so. There is the Age Well SG programme that is expanding the number of active ageing centres and activities brought close to the homes of older Singaporeans. Active ageing centres will also work with community partners such as Sport Singapore or the People's Association, and make use of all the spaces in the community, including coffee shops, pavilions and community clubs. The aim is to encourage social interaction and prevent social isolation. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
GE2025: PAP West Coast-Jurong West team plans easier social service access, cost-of-living help
The PAP team contesting West Coast-Jurong West GRC elaborated on plans to refresh ageing infrastructure and help families cope with the rising cost of living. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE – The PAP team contesting the new West Coast-Jurong West GRC wants to make it easier for residents in rental flats in Taman Jurong, Boon Lay and Nanyang to access social services, said Mr Desmond Lee, the area's incumbent PAP MP, on April 23. Now that the three estates are in the same constituency, it may be easier for the MPs to advocate for these residents and link them up with national schemes that provide financial assistance, such as ComLink+. The Taman Jurong ward had previously been part of Jurong GRC. Speaking at a press conference announcing the party's p lans for the GRC, held hours after it was confirmed that the PAP would face the PSP at the upcoming polls, Mr Lee said the PAP hopes to do more to ensure national schemes benefit residents in the area. 'For example, ageing is an issue that runs through the whole nation, but in certain parts of our estate, we have seniors, including low-income seniors, and we feel the need to bring Age Well SG from a national level hike onto the ground in a very integrated way,' said Mr Lee, who is Minister for National Development. Age Well SG is a national programme led by MOH, MND and MOT to support seniors to age well in their homes and their communities. The PAP team contesting West Coast-Jurong West GRC also elaborated on plans to refresh ageing infrastructure, bridge generational gaps and help families cope with the rising cost of living. Mr Lee, who is also the Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration, also cited work that has been done in the past five years, such as the Gift-A-Family initiative which pairs individuals with vulnerable families in Boon Lay. The existing scheme aims to provide families with opportunities and resources necessary to overcome their challenges and meet their aspirations, by working with social workers to, for example, identify courses and programmes they can attend. Programmes that may be sponsored include those for upskilling, enrichment and tuition. The sponsorship requests will then be matched with donors and sponsors. 'So it's not (just) to donate, contribute, or (having) a big company giving resources and volunteers, but to be able to journey with individual families,' he said. If elected, Mr Lee said he plans to expand the initiative to other areas within the constituency, such as Taman Jurong and Nanyang. The scheme also has the potential to be expanded nationally, he said. During the press conference, Mr Lee did not respond to questions on the PSP's challenge for the PAP team to engage them in a policy debate. He said instead that the PAP will focus on unveiling their plans for the area, which outline the party's track record for the past five years, and what the party is committed to doing to improve residents' well-being and their livelihoods. He added that residents should also ask contesting parties about their plans for the constituency. 'I can't say for a fact, but I imagine that every incumbent, whether the ruling party or the opposition, would roll out some initiatives,' he said, adding that some programmes would be government-funded, while others would not. 'So I think you can ask the opposition whether they have such programmes too. Can't imagine they don't,' he said. Singapore goes to the polls on May 3. Candidates will start campaigning in earnest from April 23 for nine days before Cooling-off Day on May 2. Besides Mr Lee, the PAP slate includes Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance and Education Shawn Huang, three-term MP Ang Wei Neng, orthopaedic surgeon Hamid Razak and lawyer Cassandra Lee. All were present at the press conference. They will be facing off against the opposition PSP's A-team, which includes its top three leaders – former PAP stalwart Tan Cheng Bock, party chief Leong Mun Wai and vice-chair Hazel Poa. The other two candidates are head of packaged food and business development Sumarleki Amjah and in-house legal counsel Sani Ismail. During the press conference, Mr Lee introduced nine key areas which his team will focus on for the next five years if elected. This includes helping households cope with the cost of living by supplementing national programmes with local support schemes, ensuring good jobs for job seekers by organising more career and skills fairs in the community and championing families through family-centric events. On the infrastructure front, neighbourhoods will undergo revitalisation and new sports and fitness facilities will be built. These include a new Clementi Stadium set to be completed by 2030, along with the former West Coast Recreation Centre, which will feature softball and baseball fields. Mr Lee said the refreshed plan announced at the press conference builds on the previous plan launched in 2020, while taking into account the new electoral boundaries changes that have brought together most of Jurong West town within the West Coast-Jurong West GRC. Said Mr Lee: 'You'll see that these nine pillars are centred around our residents and communities and the needs that different groups of residents face.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
