N環球 
Singapore Activates Haze Subsidy Scheme: Eligible Medical Visits Capped at S$10
MOH activated the PHPC scheme and the Haze Subsidy Scheme from Oct 12. Eligible patients pay at most S$10 for haze-related treatment at participating clinics and all polyclinics; Public Assistance cardholders get fully subsidised care.
Why it matters
Transboundary haze has kept Singapore's air quality poor, and emergency departments and polyclinics are seeing a week-on-week rise in respiratory cases. The Ministry of Health announced that from Monday (Oct 12) it is activating the Public Health Preparedness Clinic (PHPC) Scheme and the Haze Subsidy Scheme (HSS) for haze-related medical needs.
Scheme details
At participating PHPC clinics, eligible Singapore Citizens are: children aged 18 and below, seniors aged 65 and above, and those on Public Assistance (PA), Pioneer Generation (PG), Merdeka Generation (MG), Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) blue or orange cards, or Medical Fee Exemption Cards (MFEC). All polyclinics offer the subsidy to all Singapore Citizens.
Cost caps: PA cardholders receive fully subsidised care; PG and MG seniors pay at most S$5; other eligible patients pay at most S$10, covering the consultation, medication and necessary investigations for the haze-related portion of the visit.
Covered conditions: allergic rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, upper respiratory tract infections and their complications.
What the minister said
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on Oct 11 that hospital emergency departments and polyclinics had seen an uptick in respiratory visits, compounded by this year's haze season coinciding with the Influenza A season. He said haze conditions could persist for a few more weeks, advising those with serious conditions to visit emergency departments and others with respiratory symptoms to see a doctor at a clinic.
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