SINGAPORE — Even though the air quality has improved over the past week and the authorities have withdrawn the health advisory against prolonged outdoor physical activities, there are currently no plans “to roll back or stop” a medical scheme designed to help those affected by the haze, said Minister of State (Health and Manpower) Amy Khor yesterday.

Under the haze subsidy scheme, the Government will subsidise the needy, the young and the elderly on medical bills incurred for respiratory problems and conjunctivitis.

At designated general practitioner (GP) clinics, the Government will subsidise S$30 of the bill for each visit by Singaporeans aged 18 and below and those above 65, as well as Community Health Assist Scheme, Public Assistance and Medical Fee Exemption card holders.

At polyclinics, eligible Singaporeans will pay S$10 or less per visit.

Speaking on the sidelines of a visit to Northeast Medical Group’s Simei clinic — one of the GPs participating in the scheme — Dr Khor stressed the need for Singaporeans to remain vigilant as “the haze period is not yet over”.

“We will work very closely with the Haze Inter-Ministerial Committee as we are doing now to monitor the situation … As long as this (scheme) is needed, this will still be enforced,” she said.

More than 600 GP clinics have come on board the scheme since it was started two weeks ago. Dr Khor noted that participating GPs have helped to publicise the scheme by, for instance, putting up posters and also informing patients at registration counters.

With the GPs on board, she said vulnerable Singaporeans can access the care that they “need more conveniently and easily”.

“They don’t have to be deterred because of affordability concerns,” Dr Khor added. KENNETH LOW