Tiong Bahru residents get easier access to health advice, screenings at new centre

SingHealth's new Community Health Centre at the HDB void deck of Blk 19 Jalan Membina, which was opened on Thursday, Oct 30, 2014, to complement healthcare services provided by GPs for patients with stabilised chronic diseases. -- ST PHOTO:&nbsp
SingHealth's new Community Health Centre at the HDB void deck of Blk 19 Jalan Membina, which was opened on Thursday, Oct 30, 2014, to complement healthcare services provided by GPs for patients with stabilised chronic diseases. -- ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

SINGAPORE- Residents living in Tiong Bahru and its surroundings can now get easier access to health advice and screenings for diabetes-related complications, at a new Community Health Centre officially opened on Thursday.

Located at Block 19, Jalan Membina, the CHC will provide specialised eye and foot screenings for diabetes patients. Dietitians and nurses are also available to provide health advice.

These services were previously available at polyclinics, hospitals and three clinics run by the Diabetic Society of Singapore.

"The new Tiong Bahru CHC opens up a new option for patients. They access these services conveniently in their community, instead of travelling to hospitals," said Ms Indranee Rajah, Member of Parliament for the Tanjong Pagar GRC. "Many old folk live in the Tiong Bahru and Jalan Bukit Merah areas , so this would benefit them greatly," she said.

Run by SingHealth, the centre was set up to complement healthcare services by general practitioners who often have to refer their patients elsewhere for these services. "By working closely with GPs, we can institute early detection, timely follow-up and active management of chronic diseases to help patients delay or even avoid complications," said SingHealth's Medical Group Director, Professor Fong Kok Yong.

This is the fifth such centre in Singapore. Others are in Bedok North, Bedok East, Jurong and Tampines. The Community Health Assist Scheme (Chas), which gives discounts to lower and middle income citizens, will also apply at the new centre.

Said Tiong Bahru resident Koo Sow Fong, 78: "Before this, I had to wait for my daughter to take me for diabetic screenings at the clinic in Boon Keng,"

"But now, I can just walk to the new centre below my block to do it. It's really very convenient," said the diabetes patient.

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