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Community Health Screening Programme

Addressing the health of the aged, the Community Health Screening Programme was launched in 2000 by the Ministry of Health. The Programme provides affordable health screening for Singaporeans aged 50 and above, at locations close to their homes. It enables them to remain aware of their medical condition and to seek remedies if the findings of the screening are adverse.

History
The growing awareness of heart disease as a major killer in Singapore led to ongoing programmes to educate the public on ways of detecting and preventing the disease. Between 1966 and 1986, the disease claimed the lives of Singaporeans by more than 200 percent.

The high-risk group for heart disease was identified as older Singaporeans and the same group became the target of the first heart-screening programme called the Coronary Risk Screening (CRS). Introduced in July 1988, this programme catered to males aged between 40 and 60 and females aged between 45 and 60. They could have their heart condition checked and their risk of developing coronary heart disease assessed within the next six years. This service was offered at a minimal charge of S$50. The aim was to make suspected patients more aware of their risks of developing heart disease and the changes needed to improve their health. The checks and tests were for ECG, blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL (high density lipo-protein) cholesterol tests and checks for amount of body fat, height and weight measurements.

Low-cost health screening was first introduced in selective government polyclinics in February 1989 as part of a comprehensive medical plan for Singaporeans. When the service was announced by the Ministry of Health, it also targetted for screening to be available at all polyclinics within the next two years. Included in the package was screening for major illnesses like diabetes and analysis of cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Free mass heart-screenings had been on offer to public as early as 1972, in conjunction with the National Heart Week. In December 1988, a free cholesterol-screening that was given during the National Heart Week had the 1000 places on offer being quickly snapped up by concerned and curious members of the public. The following year, the first National Health Fair was opened on 28 October 1989. Costing the Ministry of Health S$1.5 million and lasting for two weeks, it had about 500 people turning up every day for a set of three tests on their glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Health-screenings were made more accessible and held regularly in certain constituencies in Singapore to benefit the senior citizens. For example, from May 1991, the old folks in Chai Chee could get free screenings within their neighbourhood at least once a year. The usual tests for cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and a chest X-ray were given to citizens above 45 years old. Health screening was also offered as part the Healthy Heart Healthy Family programme in May 1995. During this campaign, a mass screening for Indians was organised and 500 people went to get their glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure levels tested.

In the 1998 National Health Survey, one of the findings was that there was a marked increase in the number of elderly, 50 years and above, suffering for diabetes, high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol, conditions that make them prone to heart disease and stroke. More than half of the identified group were also not aware of their adverse medical conditions. As a preventive measure against these common diseases, a national Check Your Health Community Health Screening Programme was launched on 9 July 2000.

Description
The Community Health Screening Programme encourages Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 50 and above to go for an assessment of their medical condition including their history and lifestyle practices. The screening will measure the height, weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and total blood cholesterol of each participant.

To be systematically carried out in all the housing estates, at the void decks and community centres, the Screening Programme is heavily subsidised with each participant paying S$5 or less. Those eligible for the tests are informed through personalised mailers sent to their homes. Health-screening tickets are also sold door-to-door by volunteers from welfare and grassroots organisations.

Participants will be counselled based on the results of their screening and will also take home a booklet that provides further information. Those with abnormal results are referred to their doctor and if they fail to go to follow-up within two months, they will be reminded through letters and/or phone calls by nurses. As of end December 2002, the programme had attracted around 67,000 participants.


Author
Nor-Afidah Abd Rahman



References   
Cheong, T. (1988, June 27). A special heart check-up for older Singaporeans. The Straits Times.

Health-conscious snap up screening offer. (1988, December 12). The Straits Times, p. 22.

Health fair attracts 200,000 in first week. (1989, November 5). The Straits Times, p. 22.

Free check-up for old folk. (1991, May 28). The Straits Times, p. 19.

Good turnout at health screening for Indians. (1995, May 1). The Straits Times, p. 22.

National Heart Week display extended. (1972, April 13). The Straits Times.

Polyclinics to offer cheaper health screening. (1989, December 3). The Straits Times, p. 23.

Toh, S. (1989, October 27). Fit and health-conscious S'poreans the govt's goal. The Straits Times, p. 2

Health Promotion Board. (2001-2002). Community Health Screening Programme. Retrieved January 12, 2004, from
www.hpb.gov.sg/hpb/pro/pro05.asp

Ministry of Health. (2004). Progress of the "Check Your Health" Community Health Screening Programme. Retrieved January 12, 2004, from
www.moh.gov.sg/corp/about/newsroom/pressreleases/details.do?id=10092937 

The information in this article is valid as at 2004 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Events>>National Campaigns
Community health services for older people--Singapore
Older people--Medical care--Singapore
Health promotion--Singapore
Health and medicine>>Health services



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