Singapore to roll out subsidies for haze-related conditions at GP clinics, polyclinics from Oct 12

From Monday (Oct 12), Singapore is activating two healthcare schemes amid worsening air quality. The Public Health Preparedness Clinic scheme was last activated during COVID-19, while the Haze Subsidy Scheme was last used in 2015. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said emergency departments and polyclinics are seeing more respiratory cases each week, so the two schemes will encourage Singaporeans to visit primary care providers instead. The schemes give Singaporeans access to subsidised medical care for haze-related conditions. Seniors in the Pioneer and Merdeka Generations will pay no more than S$5, while children below 18 will pay up to S$10. Close to 1,000 clinics have agreed to participate. Nadirah Zaidi reports.