New polyclinic set to serve 80,000 residents tn Khatib

Country’s 26th polyclinic piloting initiative to link elderly patients with active ageing centres

- Lee Li Ying

Mere minutes away from Khatib MRT station on foot, Singapore's newest polyclinic opened its doors on May 13.

It is expected to serve some 80,000 residents living in the area.

Khatib Polyclinic is the Republic's 26th polyclinic. These healthcare facilities have taken on an increasingly important role in health promotion and disease prevention as the nation moves towards preventive care.

The new polyclinic is also part of Singapore's efforts to expand its healthcare capacity, with the Republic on track to have 32 polyclinics by 2030.

It was originally slated to open in 2023, but the opening was delayed due to the pandemic and the supply chain disruption and manpower shortages in the construction sector it caused.

At a media briefing held on May 9 at Khatib Polyclinic, its head, Dr Gabriel Ding, said it expects to see about 800 patient visits a day.

About 15 per cent of the population the polyclinic serves are 65 years old and over.

Khatib Polyclinic has also identified about 10,000 patients who could be enrolled on Healthier SG, said Dr Ding.

The Healthier SG programme helps those who are 40 and above take charge of their health by pairing them with a family doctor who will design a health plan for them.