SINGAPORE, Feb 15 (NNN-CNA) – Singapore announced, it will re-activate a special clinics scheme from Feb 18, to better detect and manage novel coronavirus infections.
The country’s health ministry said, about 900 general practitioner clinics, previously activated to deal with haze and the H1N1 influenza pandemic, will be reactivated as Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs), to provide subsidised treatment, investigations and drugs during public health outbreaks.
According to the ministry, the PHPCs will be progressively activated, to provide special subsidies for Singaporeans and permanent residents, diagnosed with respiratory illnesses. In addition, Singapore’s polyclinics will also enable patients to apply for special subsidies.
With the special subsidies, citizens and permanent residents diagnosed with respiratory illnesses will pay a flat rate of 10 Singapore dollars (7.19 U.S. dollars) for medical treatment. Elderly people will pay five Singapore dollars.
“The activation of PHPCs and polyclinics will allow us to enhance disease surveillance,” said MoH. “We will be able to better detect the virus earlier, and reduce the risk of further transmission.”
The ministry also announced that, it has confirmed nine additional cases of novel coronavirus infection, as of Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Singapore to 67.
Fifty patients remain in hospital while 17 were discharged, after they fully recovered. Six patients are in critical condition.– NNN-CNA
