More synergy on the cards for initiatives like Healthier SG, Age Well SG: Ong Ye Kung

SINGAPORE – In his second term as Health Minister, Mr Ong Ye Kung wants to create greater synergy among national initiatives like Healthier SG and Age Well SG.

Healthier SG is a preventive health programme

under the Ministry of Health (MOH), while Age Well SG, which helps seniors age well in their communities, is led by MOH, the Transport Ministry and the Ministry of National Development.

“Last few years, what we did (was) we rolled out major strategies: Healthier SG, Age Well SG,” Mr Ong said on June 1. “This term, with me still at MOH, what we really need to do is to join forces.”

Speaking to reporters at a community event organised by the North West District at the Singapore Turf Club, he gave an example of how Age Well SG, under which community health posts have been set up at active ageing centres, complements Healthier SG.

“Someone with chronic illness, someone unsure of their health status, can always approach the community health posts,” he said, adding that these health posts are touchpoints which help residents stick to personalised health plans drawn up under Healthier SG.

“The community health posts do not just need to proliferate, you need to intensify the kind of services you can deliver,” he added.

Around nine out of 10 active ageing centres have such health posts, or have one nearby. They are staffed by nurses, and have been set up by the three healthcare clusters in Singapore to attend to patients.

When asked if any groups may need more encouragement to get on board with health initiatives, Mr Ong said such needs are unique to individuals.

He gave the example of how residents in their 40s and 50s who sought treatment for other ailments at the Woodlands Health Campus were found to have undiagnosed advanced chronic illnesses.

“Through Healthier SG, (we can) discover, detect people with underlying chronic illnesses and then encourage them to develop their health plan and do something about it,” said Mr Ong.

Healthier SG has garnered more than a million sign-ups since its launch in July 2023.

“Don’t just sign up. Must turn up, and follow up,” Mr Ong told more than 2,000 participants who had signed up for a brisk walking event at the Turf Club, urging them to stick to their health plans.

The brisk walk was part of a three-day community sports event called Healthy Living Festival @ North West, which ends on the evening of June 1. It also marked the completion of a month-long SG60 Healthier Together Movement by the North West District.

The aim was for residents to clock 60,000km through activities such as walking, running, swimming and cycling.

Local company Lih Ming Construction pledged $60,000 to support the cause, with the funds used to support needy families.

As at June 1, residents had cumulatively clocked 88,502km, exceeding the target.

The North West District consists of Bukit Panjang SMC and four GRCs – Holland-Bukit Timah, Marsiling-Yew Tee, Nee Soon and Sembawang.

District Mayor Alex Yam said seniors currently make up around 70 per cent of participants at its community activities, and he wants to attract more younger residents.

One regular participant is Mr Terence Teo, 43.

He joined the North West Brisk Walking Club in 2022 and has been going on 2km neighbourhood walks on Sunday mornings with around 30 other members since.

The information technology operations executive said the club has grown from around 20 people when he first joined, to nearly 40 people today. Most participants are between 50 and 60 years old, with his seven-year-old daughter the youngest member.

Mr Teo said he enjoys chatting with other members, adding that the walks are as much about healthy living as they are about getting to know neighbours.

“These days, a lot of neighbours don’t even know each other, until the last day, when they are moving out,” he said.