Singapore to subsidise haze-related care at clinics from Oct 12

Singapore will activate its haze subsidy scheme at polyclinics and participating GP clinics from Oct 12, as smoke from fires in the region worsens air quality.

All Singapore citizens can receive the subsidies at polyclinics, while eligibility at participating GP clinics is limited to certain groups, including children, seniors and people with specified assistance or healthcare cards.

Public Assistance cardholders will receive fully subsidised care, Pioneer and Merdeka Generation seniors will pay no more than S$5, and other eligible Singaporeans will pay no more than S$10.

The scheme covers conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and upper respiratory infections.

The subsidies were last activated in 2015, during a severe haze episode linked to forest fires in Indonesia.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said emergency departments and polyclinics had seen more patients with respiratory problems, and urged people with less serious conditions to seek care at clinics rather than emergency departments.

If the 24-hour air quality index exceeds 200, authorities are ready to consider measures including distributing N95 masks and opening air-conditioned shelters.