Links, charts at:
http://consumer-protection1.blogspot.com/2007/12/let-medisave-be-used-for-health.html
Home > ST Forum > Story
Dec 8, 2007
Let Medisave be used for health screening
I READ with frustration the article, 'S'poreans live longer but
suffer 8 years of poor health'' (ST, Dec 3).
Dr Lam Pin Min, a member of the Government Parliamentary Committee
for Health, called for screening to catch problems such as diabetes
and cancer early.
Three years ago, I wrote to the Forum suggesting the use of
Medisave for comprehensive health-screening for those aged above 45
who have sufficient funds in their accounts.
The reply from the Health Ministry was that the Medisave scheme is
designed primarily to help individuals meet their personal or
immediate family's hospitalisation expenses, and that
health-screening tests which are considered cost-effective, such as
mammography and pap smear, are heavily subsidised at
polyclinics.
Is this cheaper health-screening a comprehensive one?
What is the point of having a large amount in the Medisave and not
using it for early detection and prevention?
Recently, the Government allowed Medisave to be used for certain
outpatient treatments. However, this is not a preventive measure,
and is too little, too late.
As not all organisations provide check-ups for staff in their 40s,
the Health Ministry should encourage the middle- and lower-income
group, who may have difficulties forking out cash, to go for a
comprehensive screening annually by allowing the use of
Medisave.
Nagarajah Sinnathurai
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_184726.html