SINGAPORE: Singapore's Health Ministry has worked with healthcare institutions to put in place plans in three areas, to ensure that Singapore is "haze ready".

Replying to questions in Parliament on Monday, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said the first is in the area of managing the expected surge of patients at polyclinics and hospitals for haze-related conditions.

The ministry has implemented a special scheme where those who suffer from respiratory problems or conjunctivitis because of the haze need only pay S$10 when they seek treatment at participating general practitioners (GPs).

As of the 27 June, there are more than 600 GP clinics participating in this scheme.

The ministry has also worked with hospitals to retrofit suitable spaces within the hospital campuses to have additional bed capacity in the event of a demand surge due to an increase in dengue cases.

Efforts have also been stepped up to transfer stable patients from the hospitals into community hospitals and nursing homes to free up acute bed capacity.

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said: "We will work hard to care for the patients in our public sector hospitals and healthcare institutions so that they are not adversely affected by the haze. If the haze situation is bad, they will close windows and doors to reduce the inflow of dust particles. If necessary, air circulation improvement devices will also be used to improve the ventilation for patients in non-air-conditioned wards. For especially vulnerable patients, provisions are being made to put in air purifiers to help reduce the impact of the haze on these patients during significant haze."

Mr Gan said the hospitals and polyclinics have adequate equipment and supplies, including ample medication stock on standby to support the continuation of critical services.

At the national level, Singapore is rebuilding its stockpile of N95 masks so that they are available for use should there be a disease outbreak during this period.

The minister emphasised that so far the impact of the haze on healthcare services is manageable.

When the haze was more severe in the week of 17 to 23 June, there was a 16.5-per cent increase in polyclinic attendance compared to the week before.

But attendance at the hospital accident and emergency department did not show any significant increase.

With the air quality improving in the last week of June, polyclinic attendance correspondingly went down.

Mr Gan felt one reason for this drop is the public taking to the advice to remain indoors.