Individuals should take responsibility for their health. Therefore, an effective disease management programmes must be introduced to empower trained healthcare professionals to do more for patients with chronic diseases. In Singapore, at the polyclinic level, we could see contact time between the patients and healthcare professionals extended in order to help to facilitate the promotion of self responsibility, disease education and disease management skills.

Teaching patients with the necessary skills are essential for them to participate in the management of their own conditions. In all public hospitals and polyclinics, nurse educators have been teaching patients about the diseases and skills to cope with and manage their medical conditions. Private care providers such as General Practitioners, should also be encouraged to participate in the education of the patients on how to manage their medical conditions too. Unfortunately, this will not be feasible as there is always opportunity cost involved in spending more time with the patients and hiring of extra staff to take up the patient education roles. Hence, Ministry of Health (MOH) may want to consider to work out a compensation package for the lost of income.

In my opinion, it is essential for MOH to continue their subsidies so that patients with chronic diseases can continue to seek consultation at the polyclinics for their medical conditions. This should also be extended to those who needed treatments even when they are admitted to the step down care or nursing homes. In additional, the Ministry can also provide holistic and improved healthcare services to help patients who are interested to improve their own health conditions or to reach treatment goals. Having said that, financial assistance schemes must first be put in place to ensure that patients are able to receive treatments even if though they are financially disadvantaged.

The public should continue to be educated on how to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, early detection of the diseases and treatments that are required to prevent further complications. MOH should also work with relevant institutions, such Traditional Chinese Medicine Associations, by enhancing the skills of the care providers and caregivers. Besides the dissemination of relevant information and training that will help the caregivers in the rendering of care for their dependants, the Ministry must be also provides emotional support to the caregivers too. 

It is not a simple task taking care of the sick. Caregivers are humans too and they require emotional supports from whatever sources. The Ministry can form a focus group to look into on how to help to address the emotional and psychological needs of these caregivers. Without given the caregivers the necessary supports, one will see that the patients under their care will keep coming back to the hospitals for treatments. That will cost more money and stress to the families.