Singapore will provide subsidised treatment for haze-related conditions at public clinics starting October 12, as air quality worsens due to transboundary haze.
Eligible Singapore citizens will pay no more than S$10 for treatment of haze-related conditions at polyclinics, according to the Ministry of Health. The subsidy scheme will also be available at Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs), though eligibility there is limited to specific groups such as children and seniors. The initiative, which begins on Monday (Oct 12), aims to provide affordable care for individuals affected by the deteriorating air quality due to transboundary haze.
Public Assistance cardholders will receive fully subsidised care, while Pioneer and Merdeka Generation seniors will pay no more than S$5. The scheme was last activated in 2015 during a severe haze episode linked to Indonesian forest fires. Covered conditions include asthma, bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and upper respiratory tract infections. Doctors at participating clinics will assess whether a patient's condition is haze-related and claimable under the scheme, which does not cover unrelated conditions.
Why it matters
The low cost may encourage more Singaporeans to seek timely medical care for haze-related symptoms.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
Watch whether eligible patients utilize the subsidy as haze conditions worsen.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.