Seeing her father undergo multiple surgeries and take long-term medication for heart problems was a sharp reminder for Ms Melissa Anderson, 41, to pay closer attention to her health.
For over 30 years, her 73-year-old father has struggled with high cholesterol levels. It is caused by the build-up of a fat-like substance in the arteries that restricts blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
“It (the blockages) kept getting worse. He had to have multiple stents put in, and subsequently needed a heart bypass surgery in his late 50s,” says the property agent.
She knew that certain health conditions, like high cholesterol, can be hereditary. So when an opportunity to take better charge of her health arose with preventive healthcare initiative Healthier SG, Ms Anderson enrolled without hesitation.
She did so in January 2024, along with her husband, 41, who works as a safety coordinator in construction.
While her father’s condition has since stabilised with medical treatments and lifestyle changes, the emotional stress from his surgeries still lingers.
“We (the family) would get very worried each time, overwhelmed by the ‘what ifs’ and uncertainties.
It prompted her to take a closer look at her health. “I wanted to find out anything that is happening in my health, or what is wrong with my body as early as possible, so that I can prevent it,” says the mother of a three-year-old daughter.
They are among over one million people who have enrolled in the national preventive healthcare initiative, since it was introduced by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in July 2023.
Open to Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 40 and above, it seeks to promote preventive health through personalised care with a family doctor. There are more than 1,000 participating general practitioner clinics.
I wanted to find out anything that is happening in my health, or what is wrong with my body as early as possible, so that I can prevent it.
Ms Melissa Anderson, 41, who enrolled in Healthier SG last January
Better to know early
Ms Anderson was wise to be proactive. Her initial Healthier SG health screening last February, which involved a blood test, uncovered signs of high cholesterol.
Specifically, her low-density lipoprotein – or bad cholesterol – levels were at 140 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), which is classified as ‘borderline high’ according to MOH guidelines. Levels below 130 mg/dL are considered desirable.
The result wasn’t too surprising to Ms Anderson, as she has a family history of high cholesterol. But “it was still a cause for concern”, she says.
After reviewing her health screening results, her Healthier SG doctor created a personalised health plan to help her work towards her health goal: Lowering her LDL cholesterol levels.
Ms Anderson accessing her health plan via the HealthHub mobile app, which was enhanced last November to include more specific health and lifestyle recommendations.PHOTO: THARM SOOK WAI
Part of Healthier SG, the health plan includes recommendations to help residents achieve their health goals, and follow-up actions to manage existing health conditions.
For Ms Anderson, it included recommendations such as choosing high-fibre carbohydrates like brown rice instead of white rice or white bread, and doing 30 minutes of exercise daily, five days a week. She was also advised to return for a follow-up session six months later.
Besides the holistic plan, Ms Anderson appreciates how her three sessions at the Healthier SG clinic in Bedok were fast, efficient and convenient. This includes her initial consultation, a follow-up appointment for her blood test which required her to fast, and a review of her test results.
“All these sessions were done within a month, and didn’t take more than 15 minutes each,” says Ms Anderson, who lives in a three-room Housing Board flat in Bedok – a five-minute walk from the clinic.
Under the Healthier SG initiative, residents will work with a regular primary care doctor to manage their health holistically. This helps, she shares, as “they have my record, so I don’t have to repeat everything (about my health) again”.
She was also advised to take a pap smear – a test for cervical cancer – which can be done at the clinic. “I knew it was something good to do at my age, but I wouldn’t have thought about it otherwise.”
Motivation for change
While Ms Anderson admits that the doctor’s recommendations about managing high cholesterol were “nothing new”, she believes Healthier SG provides a much-needed push to take charge of her health.
“I may find all this information online, but making lifestyle changes – it’s hard to do this on my own,” she says, adding that affirmation from her doctor is more impactful than general advice.
Since her consultation, she has made adjustments to her daily routines. Her meals now include smaller portions of white rice – about three to four tablespoons instead of a full plate. She also takes public transportation and walks whenever she can.
Ultimately, what keeps Ms Anderson motivated are the consequences of ill health on her daughter.
“She is very young, and still very dependent on her parents for everything. It would be very difficult for her if we were to fall sick, or even be hospitalised.
“I also want to do what I can now, so that in the future, she wouldn’t have to be burdened with taking care of me.”
- Head to healthiersg.gov.sg to learn more, and start your health journey with your dedicated doctor. Enrolment is open to Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 40 and above.
This is the second of two features in partnership with the Ministry of Health
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