Home > ST Forum > Online Story
July 12, 2009
Last leg of H1N1 fight
Health Minister says Singaporeans have done well, but warns against complacency
By Jamie Ee Wen Wei
<a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20090712/swine-ap.jpg"><img src="http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20090712/swine-ap.jpg"></a>
Mr Khaw said one reason Singaporeans have performed relatively well during this pandemic is that they have been kept well-informed. -- PHOTO: AP
SINGAPORE is into the last leg of its fight against Influenza A (H1N1) and Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said he now has three priorities: to focus on high-risk groups, to reflect on the lessons learnt so far, and to prepare for the next wave.
He said Singaporeans have done well in combating the virus, but urged them not to be complacent.
'Now you begin to have complicated cases, (you're) bound to get some sad stories, maybe deaths, going forward, as you see in other countries, so that may be hard to avoid. But our job is to minimise that,' he told reporters on the sidelines of the Health & You Exhibition at Suntec City on Saturday.
Mr Khaw said one reason Singaporeans have performed relatively well during this pandemic is that they have been kept well-informed.
He also elaborated on his three priorities in this last leg of the fight against the virus, which first appeared here on May 27.
The first would be to focus on the high-risk groups and to ensure that they have the best chance of fully recovering. These patients may have to go to intensive care units.
The second priority is to conduct a post-mortem of how Singapore has reacted to the first wave of the virus.
The authorities are taking a pause to reflect on what has been learnt since the World Health Organisation (WHO) sounded the alert on the virus about 10 weeks ago, so that they can do better. 'I think there are good lessons to be learnt, so that's ongoing,' he said.
Finally, Singapore must prepare for the next wave of the virus if it comes.
'Of course we hope there is no next wave but you can't tell because as winter comes back to the north, the fear of experts is this virus may then further mutate,' said Mr Khaw.
[email protected]
Read the full story in the Sunday Times.
July 12, 2009
Last leg of H1N1 fight
Health Minister says Singaporeans have done well, but warns against complacency
By Jamie Ee Wen Wei
<a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20090712/swine-ap.jpg"><img src="http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20090712/swine-ap.jpg"></a>
Mr Khaw said one reason Singaporeans have performed relatively well during this pandemic is that they have been kept well-informed. -- PHOTO: AP
SINGAPORE is into the last leg of its fight against Influenza A (H1N1) and Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said he now has three priorities: to focus on high-risk groups, to reflect on the lessons learnt so far, and to prepare for the next wave.
He said Singaporeans have done well in combating the virus, but urged them not to be complacent.
'Now you begin to have complicated cases, (you're) bound to get some sad stories, maybe deaths, going forward, as you see in other countries, so that may be hard to avoid. But our job is to minimise that,' he told reporters on the sidelines of the Health & You Exhibition at Suntec City on Saturday.
Mr Khaw said one reason Singaporeans have performed relatively well during this pandemic is that they have been kept well-informed.
He also elaborated on his three priorities in this last leg of the fight against the virus, which first appeared here on May 27.
The first would be to focus on the high-risk groups and to ensure that they have the best chance of fully recovering. These patients may have to go to intensive care units.
The second priority is to conduct a post-mortem of how Singapore has reacted to the first wave of the virus.
The authorities are taking a pause to reflect on what has been learnt since the World Health Organisation (WHO) sounded the alert on the virus about 10 weeks ago, so that they can do better. 'I think there are good lessons to be learnt, so that's ongoing,' he said.
Finally, Singapore must prepare for the next wave of the virus if it comes.
'Of course we hope there is no next wave but you can't tell because as winter comes back to the north, the fear of experts is this virus may then further mutate,' said Mr Khaw.
[email protected]
Read the full story in the Sunday Times.
