Haze Subsidy Scheme to cease on Nov 23

This comes with the end of the dry season in the region.
Channel NewsAsia 17 Nov 15;

SINGAPORE: The Haze Subsidy Scheme will end on Nov 23, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a statement on Monday (Nov 16).

This comes with the end of the dry season in the region.

About 50,000 people have benefitted from the scheme since it was reintroduced when hazy conditions persisted. The scheme was first rolled out in 2013, when the Pollutants Standards Index (PSI) hit record levels.

It is designed to help reduce medical costs for haze-related conditions, particularly for children, elderly and lower- and middle-income groups of Singaporeans.

Under the scheme, pioneers pay S$5 while other eligible Singaporeans pay S$10 at participating clinics and polyclinics.

- CNA/dl


MOH to cease haze subsidy scheme from Nov 23 as dry season ends
Today Online 16 Nov 15;

SINGAPORE — With the arrival of rain and a low likelihood of haze for the rest of the year, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will end its Haze Subsidy Scheme from next Monday (Nov 23).

About 50,000 claims have been made under the scheme since it was reintroduced in September when hazy conditions persisted, the MOH said in a statement today (Nov 16).

The scheme was first introduced in 2013 when the haze hit record levels. It’s designed to help reduce medical costs for haze-related conditions, such as asthma, conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis, for children, elderly and lower- and middle-income groups of Singaporeans.

Under the scheme, pioneers only pay S$5 while other eligible Singaporeans pay S$10 at participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics and polyclinics for haze-related conditions. The MOH subsidises the remaining costs. Public Assistance cardholders get fully subsidised care.

More than 630 PHPCs have participated in the scheme. The number of claims so far is a preliminary estimate as participating clinics have up to one month after the cessation of the scheme to submit their claims to MOH.

The National Environment Agency said yesterday that the haze episode that has afflicted Singapore for a prolonged period this year is likely to be over, while more rain can be expected, in the coming weeks with the onset of the north-east monsoon.


Haze Subsidy Scheme to cease from Monday
Kok Xing Hui, The Straits Times AsiaOne 17 Nov 15;

As conditions have improved and the National Environment Agency has advised that the likelihood of transboundary smoke remains low for the rest of the year, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will cease the Haze Subsidy Scheme with effect from Nov 23.

Air quality was in the good range yesterday, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index standing at 30 to 39 at 6pm.

The Haze Subsidy Scheme was reactivated on Sept 16 to give children, the elderly and lower- and middle-income Singaporeans access to treatment for haze-related conditions. These include asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, conjunctivitis and upper respiratory tract infections.

Under the scheme, pioneers pay only $5 and other eligible Singaporeans pay $10 at participating clinics and polyclinics for haze-related conditions. Public assistance cardholders enjoy fully subsidised care.

The ministry estimated that about 50,000 benefited from the scheme. More than 630 general-practitioner (GP) clinics participated in it this time round.

On Sunday, the NEA said an increase in rain showers over the past two weeks signalled the end of the traditional dry season. It is expecting more rain in the coming weeks with the onset of the north-east monsoon next month.

The last time the scheme kicked in was in 2013, when close to $500,000 in government subsidies was provided for more than 17,000 haze-related attendances at GP clinics and polyclinics.