Community spirit at Kampong Glam
Doing their part for the community, NUS students from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies and NUS Social Work provided free health screenings for some 450 Kampong Glam residents on 7 and 8 October as part of the annual Neighbourhood Health Service (NHS) initiative.
The initiative aims to identify elderly and lower income residents who may not be able to take good care of their health and reconnect them to the healthcare system. Since its inception a decade ago, the NHS has reached out to more than 4,000 rental block residents in eight districts in Singapore. This is the first time it has been brought to the Kampong Glam constituency.
The scope of screening has also been enhanced to include more than 20 services, up from an initial three during the inaugural screening. This includes fall risk and mental health assessments, screening for chronic illnesses as well as socio-economic evaluations and subsequent referrals to social organisations where necessary.
In addition to the free centralised screening, door-to-door visits were conducted for residents who faced difficulties leaving their homes. Follow-up house visits and phone calls will also be made.
“The NHS exemplifies an activity that is student-led and helps to nurture competent, compassionate, creative, community-responsive and innovative doctors and nurses of tomorrow. The services provided enable the students to apply the skills they have learnt with competence to help elderly residents in maintaining or improving their health,” said Associate Professor Lau Tang Ching, Vice-Dean of Education at NUS Medicine.
The NHS also conducted similar free health screenings for more than 400 residents in Eunos Crescent on 9 and 10 September and continues to follow-up with residents in constituencies screened in previous years to ensure that all residents under its purview are integrated into the healthcare system.
See media coverage.
Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore Community Development Council (2nd from left) and Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health (4th from left) greeting the residents
