Tuberculosis Patients Who Have sought Financial Assistance to Cover Travel Expenses and Lost Income

9 Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether there have been any tuberculosis patients who have sought financial assistance to cover travel expenses and lost income to complete Directly Observed Therapy; and (b) if so, what aid schemes are available to such patients.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Patients with tuberculosis (TB) can seek financial assistance to cover travel expenses and lost income related to completing Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), through the Medical Social Workers (MSWs) at the National Tuberculosis Care Centre and polyclinics.

Eligible residents may receive support through Government financial assistance schemes, such as MediFund, ComCare's Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance and the Agency for Integrated Care's long-term care scheme. In addition, the Singapore Anti-Tuberculosis Association CommHealth's DOT and Shop scheme provides grocery vouchers and transport allowances to eligible individuals to promote adherence. TB treatment is also heavily subsidised for residents.

We are progressively adopting a risk-based approach, where patients who have demonstrated good adherence can transition to Video Observed Therapy or reduced frequency of DOT.