Monday, January 17, 2011

An Echo for healthcare in the East

It is the first community-based disease prevention programme here, and it wants to reach 1,500 residents in the east.

The Eastern Community Health Outreach (Echo) will provide regular reminders about health screenings, so that chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are detected early. It will also send health tips and SMS updates on events to those who join the programme.

For those with chronic illnesses, Echo will go a step further to help track the participant's progress every quarter.

"We wanted the community to stay healthy and not (have to) use the services of the hospital as much as possible. As they stay healthy, they become more productive," said Mr T K Udairam, chief executive officer of Changi General Hospital, which launched the programme yesterday with Changi Simei grassroots organisations.

Some residents have already signed up for Echo. "My dad has diabetes, so it's better to have early detection before anything happens to me," said Mr Imran Ahdun, 36.

His relative Syahiran Rani is only 22 but is just as concerned about his health, "in line with my National Service vocation as an ambulance medic".

Echo is the third and latest programme to be launched under an integrated care approach by a group of healthcare providers in the east. The health screenings begins from next month to April and will cost $2 for those between 18 and 34 years and $10 for those above the age of 35.

No comments:

Post a Comment