Expansion of Target Screening and Counselling for Women Aged 40 to 50 in Primary Care and Community Settings

26 Dr Wan Rizal asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health whether targeted screening and counselling pathways for women aged 40–59 will be expanded in primary care and community settings, including menopause-informed GP training, and whether MOH will scale menopause support programmes and publish outcomes by age and income band.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: There are already screening and counselling pathways for women aged 40-59, as well as menopause management pathways, in the existing healthcare framework.

As menopause increases the risk of hypertension and hyperlipidemia and their complications, under Healthier SG, women are encouraged to undertake screening for cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension and hyperlipidemia as well as diabetes and for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers.

Women experiencing menopausal symptoms are encouraged to inform their primary care or Healthier SG doctor, who would assess the symptoms and the patient's needs to make recommendations on further management. Primary care doctors are trained to manage menopause-related health issues.

There are also other sources of support for women undergoing menopause, including public educational resources, and through interest groups, such as "Dynamite Daisies" under KK Women's and Children's Hospital, who promote awareness of general women's health and provide support for women undergoing menopause transitions.