Wednesday 13 June 2012

Cabbies get special rates for medical checks

Channel NewsAsia, 11 June 2012

Some 13,000 cabbies who are members of the National Taxi Association (NTA) can now enjoy cheaper medical checks at four Parkway Shenton clinics.

Taxi drivers aged 50 to 70 only pay S$12 for statutory medical examinations at the Shenton Medical Group clinics at The Arcade, Toa Payoh, Jurong Point and Elias Mall.

Cabbies who are not members of the association have to fork out S$28.

Medical examination is compulsory for anyone who wants to become a taxi driver and for all existing taxi drivers on a regular basis.

For vocational licence application or renewal which requires a chest X-ray, National Taxi Association members pay S$22, compared to S$35 for non-members.

Parkway Shenton said it is looking at expanding the number of clinics covering these services to serve taxi drivers.

This initiative is an expansion of an earlier collaboration between the healthcare group and the taxi association.

In April, Parkway Shenton offered free medical checks on fitness to drive for all NTA members aged 70 years and above at all its clinics across Singapore.

Cabbies who are not members of the NTA pay S$2.

Dr Koh Hau Tek, medical director of Shenton Medical Group, said, "We are always looking into different ways to make meaningful contributions to our society. Through this latest initiative, we are happy to be able to make a positive impact on the well-being of the taxi drivers' community in Singapore, by allowing them access to affordable, comprehensive and quality medical examination services. We also hope to encourage many more healthy seniors to continue driving and live full, active and meaningful lives."

Mr Wee Boon Kim, president of National Taxi Association said, "We are pleased to have the support of Parkway Shenton group, which shares a common goal to further enhance the quality of life and overall well-being of our taxi drivers. Leveraging Parkway Shenton's strong expertise, network and competencies in healthcare services and health promotion, we can bring additional value to our members by giving them improved access to quality healthcare services at affordable prices."

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