SINGAPORE - Almost 1,000 residents received free medical specialist screenings as part of a health carnival in Jurong on Sunday morning (April 9).

The screenings were part of Project Big Heart, a collaboration between Jurong Central grassroots organisations, Fullerton Healthcare and social welfare organisation Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre.

"This year the project not only benefits Jurong Central residents, but we've extended it to the whole of Jurong GRC, as well as the Yuhua and Bukit Batok SMCs," said Mr Ang Wei Neng, Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC.

Residents living in the two Single-Member Constituencies (SMCs) are also served by the Jurong-Clementi Town Council, which is helmed by MPs from the ruling People's Action Party.

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu, and Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Desmond Lee also attended the health carnival.

Mr Ang added that the scope of the project has also expanded beyond its original focus on high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, noting residents also received bone mineral density tests to detect osteoporosis.

Some 200 residents also received electrocardiography (ECG) tests and cardiologist consultations to detect abnormal heart rhythms, while 200 others received flu vaccinations, said Fullerton Health group chief executive and co-founder Michael Tan.

These tests and services could each cost around $50 if taken outside, said Dr Tan.

"From the feedback we get this year, we will see what else we can provide," said Mr Ang.

Since 2015, the project has provided more than 2,000 low-income and elderly residents with free consultations and medication for chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes.

Retiree Madam Sadiah Ali, 69, who received an ECG test on Sunday, said such events make things easier for her.

"It's not convenient for me to go to the clinic, so having an event like this makes it easy for me to get screened," she said.