Singapore activates healthcare support measures as haze worsens

The Health Ministry (MOH) said participating clinics and all polyclinics would provide children, the elderly, and lower- to middle-income Singaporeans with affordable care for haze-related conditions upon activation of the schemes. — Bernama pic

First Published: Sunday, 11 Oct 2026 2:46 PM MYT

SINGAPORE, Oct 11 — Singapore will activate both the Public Health Preparedness Clinic (PHPC) Scheme and the Haze Subsidy Scheme (HSS) from Oct 12 to help residents with their haze-related medical needs.

The Health Ministry (MOH) said participating clinics and all polyclinics would provide children, the elderly, and lower- to middle-income Singaporeans with affordable care for haze-related conditions upon activation of the schemes.

“All Singapore Citizens will be eligible for the HSS at the polyclinics. The conditions covered under the HSS are allergic rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, upper respiratory tract infections and their complications,” it said in a statement on Sunday. 

The ministry said Public Assistance cardholders will enjoy fully subsidised treatment, while Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation seniors will pay no more than S$5 (S$1= RM3.19).

Other eligible Singapore citizens will pay no more than S$10, it added.

Meanwhile, air quality across Singapore remained at unhealthy levels on Sunday, with the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) ranging from 115 to 151.

As of 1 pm, data from the National Environment Agency (NEA) showed that the 24-hour PSI stood at 149 in the central region, 151 in the west, 135 in the east, 115 in the south and 115 in the north.

The 24-hour PSI forms the basis of the NEA’s daily health advisories, with readings of 101 to 200 classified as unhealthy, 201 to 300 as very unhealthy and those above 300 as hazardous. — Bernama