Workers' Party candidate Lee Li Lian said on Friday morning that she intends to champion the healthcare needs of the elderly if she is elected as MP for Punggol East.

In a post on her Facebook page, Ms Lee, 34, called for Medisave withdrawal limits to be lifted for patients above age 75 - a proposal which the WP had put forth in its 2011 general election manifesto. Currently, there are caps on the amount which can be withdrawn from each person's account, such as a maximum of $400 a year for outpatient treatment of chronic diseases.

Elderly patients should also not have to queue up at polyclinics just to get referrals for subsidised treatment at public hospitals, said Ms Lee.

"The senior citizens are the pioneers of Singapore who have contributed to nation building but have been forgotten in their twilight years," she said.

Ms Lee was unveiling another key campaign message after discussing the concerns of young couples and families in the first two days of the hustings for the Jan 26 by-election.