More demand for preventative medicine

More people are attending appointments for health checks, indicating there is a greater awareness of the importance of preventative medicine.

These are the findings of a recent report in the Straits Times, which discovered that demand for health screening packages has increased at five out of nine hospitals.

One hospital reported that the number of patients attending its health screening centre has risen year-on-year since it opened in 1996. The trend is also seen in public hospitals, with Changi General Hospital and National University Hospital reporting a steady rise in demand.

Doctors say the growing demand for screening is due to the prevalence of chronic conditions, such as heart disease and colon cancer – and a greater awareness of the role of regular health checks in early detection.