Updated: 02/03/2013 07:50

6.9million population projection is basis for health planning efforts: Health Minister Gan Kim Yong

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong says his ministry is adjusting its plans to be able to meet future healthcare needs.

He said the projected population figure by 2030 in the White Paper will serve as a basis for planning efforts to ensure sufficient capacity in the healthcare sector.

He said Singapore's ageing population would have grown larger by 2030.

And so he stressed that there is a need to restructure some healthcare services to cater to more elderly citizens, with a particular emphasis on chronic diseases.

He added that the Health Ministry will also monitor the demographic shift of the population to ensure that hospitals have the sufficient flexibility to adapt.

Boosting physical infrastructure and manpower development would also be important.