Singapore Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on Thursday announced his ministry's contingency plans if the haze gets worse, local TV Channel NewsAsia reported.

The contingency plans will focus on three areas, including how to ensure patient safety, how to meet demand if there is a surge in the number of patients seeking help, and how to minimise disruption to services should haze conditions worsen.

In terms of ensuring patient safety, Mr Gan said polyclinics have implemented a triage system to identify those more vulnerable, like those with respiratory problems.

In the hospital setting, Mr Gan said plans to convert spaces to accommodate more beds have already started.

However, Mr Gan added that for now, the demand at the hospital end is still manageable as most patients still visit polyclinics first.

Mr Gan also said that some 2,000 polyclinic patients have tapped into the government subsidy scheme for vulnerable groups seeking medical attention for haze related ailments.

Those in the vulnerable groups, which include the elderly and children, will only need to pay 10 Singapore dollars (8 U.S. dollars) under the scheme if they visit the polyclinic. Enditem

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