The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 40 No. 2 - Improving Healthcare for Persons with Disabilities

Epidemiology and Overview of Disability

Goh Lee Gan
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 40 No 2 - Improving Healthcare for Persons with Disabilities
8 - 11
1 April 2014
0377-5305
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) form an integral part of our community. The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) in Singapore has developed the Enabling Masterplan (EMIC) 2012 – 2016 with the vision of an inclusive society where PWDs are enabled to participate fully. A life course and integrated approach is adopted in caring for such persons with the 4 pillars of early intervention; education and healthy lifestyle; employment; and adult care. Five cross cutting issues need to be addressed: caregiver support and transition management; manpower and technology; Transport; Public education; and accessibility. Family Physicians being the medical practitioners in the frontline of medical care are touchpoints in accessibility to healthcare services and benefit schemes for this group of people.