Singaporeans need to take responsibility for their own health, said Education Minister Heng Swee Keat on Sunday.

Referring to the recent announcements by the Government to make healthcare more affordable, he stressed that individuals also have to make an effort to live healthily.

He said: "Healthcare is a very good example of how individual responsibility is so important. At the end of the day we each need to do our own part to maintain our own health."

The minister was speaking at the launch of the "Eating Well in Your Golden Years" programme at Kovan Hub, a health screening project by the North East Community Development Council (CDC) and Paya Lebar Active Ageing Committee to help senior citizens with their nutritional well-being.

Also present was Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck, who is also mayor of the North East CDC.

Over 200 elderly residents showed up from as early as 9am for the health screening that focused on dental hygiene, bone health, fat count and eating habits.