Response to Project Silver Screen in 2024 and Referrals Made to Eye and ENT Specialists

5 Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Health (a) in 2024, what is the number of seniors who participated in Project Silver Screen which provides functional screening of the eyes, ears and oral health for Singaporeans aged 60 and above; (b) whether seniors are referred to specialists if there are any eyes, ears and oral health issues detected during the screening; and (c) if so, how many referrals are made in 2024.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Under Project Silver Screen, seniors found to have functional abnormalities in their vision, hearing and oral health are referred for further investigations at community-based services operated by the healthcare clusters, such as community eye and hearing clinics. Seniors among this group with more complex conditions that cannot be managed within the community are referred to specialists at the public healthcare clusters.

Between October 2023 and September 2024, about 39,000 seniors participated in Project Silver Screen. Of which, about 5,000 were referred to specialists.