Experts call for more help for low-income families to meet kids' developmental and health needs

Many parents from low-income families would have to sacrifice income in exchange for time spent on their children's health appointments. PHOTO: ST FILE
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SINGAPORE - Childcare leave is important for low-income parents to be able to prioritise the health and developmental needs of their children, especially in the early years, said Dr Chong Shang Chee, head and senior consultant of the Child Development Unit at the Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute at the National University Hospital.

She highlighted that parents from low-income families who may be employed in contract or daily wage work may not have childcare leave and this was a barrier in their ability to take their children for follow-up health appointments.

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