By working with stakeholders in various private, public and people sectors, HDB, NUS and NUHS will transform Queenstown into Singapore’s first health district. Source: Unslash/Wikicommons
Singapore’ first satellite town, Queenstown, is set to become a health district in a pilot programme aimed at helping residents lead healthier and more productive lives.
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the Housing and Development Board (HDB), the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the National University Health System (NUHS) will work with various stakeholders from the private, public and people sectors for this pilot programme.
“We will leverage the broad range of expertise of our partners to create integrated solutions to enhance the health and well-being of residents across their life stages,” said HDB, NUS and NUHS in a joint release on Wednesday (20 October).
This will be done via more integrated planning and design of the estate as well as more community-driven programmes.
Queenstown was selected as the pilot site since its demographics closely mirror the projected national demographics of Singapore by year 2030.
Currently, the town has one of the oldest populations within the city-state, with almost one of every four Singaporeans aged 65 and above.
“Together with various upcoming development and rejuvenation plans for Queenstown, there are opportunities to pilot interventions for better well-being of residents, promote health-seeking behaviours, and encourage social connections,” said the release.
The pilot’s area of focus includes enabling purposeful longevity by providing residents opportunities to volunteer, work and participate in lifelong learning.
It also seeks to encourage uptake of preventive health recommendations while shifting care delivery from hospital to or near the home of residents.
“NUHS will implement an enhanced My Health Map programme to improve residents access to preventive health services by bringing health screenings on-site to residents where appropriate and conducting health talks within the community,” said the release.
“Care coordinators will also actively reach out to residents, working closely with partners such as the Lions Befrienders Service Association, the Agency for Integrated Care and Queenstown Grassroots Organisations, to help residents navigate the healthcare system.”
To encourage residents to lead active lifestyles, HDB will place greater emphasis on planning and designing the estate’s built environment.
Queen’s Arc, for instance, will feature a jogging loop at its car park rooftop garden and beautifully designed staircases to “encourage residents to incorporate exercise into their daily routines”.
The Build-to-Order (BTO) project, which was launched in Queenstown in August, will also have a wellness trail and heritage walk, urban farming spaces as well as wellness-themed amenities and flexible spaces where residents can hold health-related programmes and events.
To promote social and mental well-being, community spaces will be designed to facilitate interactions, while creating tranquil places for relaxation.
“We also aim to co-create affordable and useable technology to improve residents’ lives, starting with solutions co-developed with residents, caregivers, and family/community support networks,” said HDB, NUS and NUHS.
“We will partner with industry to test-bed and deploy relevant technology which allows people to remain independent, assists in disease prevention, and improves healthcare delivery.”
The Health District is overseen by the Minister of State for National Development, and Communications and Information, Tan Kiat How, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Communications and Information, Rahayu Mazam, and Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth, and Social Family and Development, Eric Chua.
Looking for a property in Singapore? Visit PropertyGuru’s Listings, Project Reviews and Guides.
Cheryl Chiew, Digital Content Specialist at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this story, email: cheryl@propertyguru.com.sg.
