Keeping people healthy part of primary healthcare

This holistic approach requires the support of community, says Health Minister Ong

- Salma Khalik

The role of primary care, provided by polyclinics and private general practitioners' (GP) clinics, has evolved from being just the first port of call for people who are sick, to also include keeping people healthy.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung told The Straits Times: "There's now a big overlap between what is primary care and what is preventive care. And our whole idea and definition and implementation of primary care is now much broader in scope." Building health, on top of curing illnesses, is a task doctors cannot shoulder on their own. They need to link up with other players in the community who can provide ongoing care, support and encouragement so patients continue to lead healthier lifestyles.

Likewise, Mr Ong said: "We don't expect polyclinics to be standalone clinical institutions anymore they have to link themselves up with the whole community.

"We are going to activate various groups to do all kinds of activities, such as encouraging people to quit smoking, eat healthy, exercise, and get seniors to come out of their homes, to be socially connected. All these are very critical and crucial health interventions in the community." This fits in with the roll-out of Healthier SG, a national initiative launched in July.