A clinic which aims to bring affordable healthcare to the aged and needy in the heartland officially opened a new branch in Jurong on Sunday.

The new branch is the fourth clinic by the Public Free Clinic Society, and was opened in conjunction with its 39th anniversary.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam was guest-of-honour at the event. In his address, DPM Tharman said that the clinic has done good work in various parts of Singapore. He added that the group provides a good example of community spirit as the facility was not set up by the government, but by a group of Chinese physicians who were supported by the grassroots.

Started in September last year, the clinic in Jurong sees an average of 2,500 patients a month. The organisation, which is supported directly by the Ministry of Health, currently has outlets in Geylang, Clementi and Tampines. It plans to open another clinic in the East which will cater specifically to the elderly with chronic illnesses like rheumatism and diabetes. About 65 per cent of the clinics' patients now are the elderly above the age of 50.