http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_401922.html
S'pore's fight almost over
By Jamie Ee
Mr Khaw said one reason Singaporeans have performed relatively well during this pandemic is because they have been kept well-informed. -- ST PHOTO
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, 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.
Since last Monday, at least two men infected with H1N1 have been admitted to the intensive care unit as their conditions were more serious. Both had underlying medical conditions.
Mr Khaw said one reason Singaporeans have performed relatively well during this pandemic is because they have been kept well-informed.
'I think the media does a very good job, updating the people every day, advising them on what they should do. And by and large, Singaporeans comply. So when they have a fever, they do see the doctor, call 993, and that's why we have been able to manage this problem as well as we can.'
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. High-risks groups include the young, the old and those with underlying medical problems like diabetics.
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 have been learnt since the World Health Organisation 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.
Read the full report in The Sunday Times.
S'pore's fight almost over
By Jamie Ee
Mr Khaw said one reason Singaporeans have performed relatively well during this pandemic is because they have been kept well-informed. -- ST PHOTO
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, 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.
Since last Monday, at least two men infected with H1N1 have been admitted to the intensive care unit as their conditions were more serious. Both had underlying medical conditions.
Mr Khaw said one reason Singaporeans have performed relatively well during this pandemic is because they have been kept well-informed.
'I think the media does a very good job, updating the people every day, advising them on what they should do. And by and large, Singaporeans comply. So when they have a fever, they do see the doctor, call 993, and that's why we have been able to manage this problem as well as we can.'
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. High-risks groups include the young, the old and those with underlying medical problems like diabetics.
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 have been learnt since the World Health Organisation 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.
Read the full report in The Sunday Times.
