The Straits Times, 22 Mar 2012
A HEALTH screening programme run by the Health Promotion Board for citizens and permanent residents aged 40 and above will be made available to more community venues islandwide.
The Integrated Screening Programme, now available at 700 participating general practitioners' clinics and some community centres at discounted rates, will be rolled out in more community centres in the next three years.
The programme was launched in 2008 to give the over-40s access to tests for diabetes and high cholesterol, and screenings for cervical, colorectal and breast cancer.
A Pap smear costs $15 under the programme, markedly less than the $40 which polyclinics charge.
Minister of State for Health Amy Khor, announcing the expansion of the programme yesterday, said that there would be deeper collaboration between grassroots leaders and community organisations to customise the programme to meet the needs of residents.
For example, if residents belong to an older age group, functional tests such as those assessing their sight and mobility can be offered.
She was speaking at the launch of SATA CommHealth's new bus, which will serve community organisations such as residents' committees to offer mammograms at $65 each; subsidies are available to those who cannot afford this price.
The bus will also call at the premises of companies which want to provide mammograms for their female employees.
Dr Khor, noting that some women may skip mammograms because they find it time-consuming to travel to a clinic, said having a bus with equipment on board at their doorstep will alleviate the problem.
SATA CommHealth is a non-profit organisation which provides primary care and health-screening services through its four medical centres and mobile units such as its buses. Its existing mammogram bus, on the road since 2008, has done 1,500 breast screenings.
Breast cancer is the top killer among women here, with more than 1,400 new cases and 300 deaths yearly.
Women aged 50 and above should have them done every two years, and those aged 40 to 49, yearly.
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