POLYCLINICS will be ready to function as Pandemic Preparedness Clinics (PPCs) to treat suspected Influenza A (H1N1) patients by next week.
The moment Singapore enters the mitigation phase in its battle against the virus, all 18 polyclinics will be activated as PPCs.
While the exact date is uncertain, the Ministry of Health's director of medical services, Professor K. Satku, said that that day will come when H1N1 patients account for about 15 per cent of all flu samples tested. The proportion right now is about "4 to 5 per cent".
Already, the nine National Healthcare Group polyclinics have seen a 10-point surge in patients with flu-like symptoms, like cough and fever, an increase of 1,000 patients over seven weeks.
SingHealth, which operates the other nine polyclinics, saw an increase of 8 per cent in similar patients the first three days this week, compared to the same period last week.
Patients with flu-like symptoms will be ushered to a separate area after nurses take their temperatures and travel histories.
They will also be provided with surgical masks.
Patients with mild symptoms will be given appropriate medication and sent home - just like those with normal flu.
Only patients with complications like pneumonia and
breathlessness, and high-risk patients like pregnant women will be sent to the hospital, said Dr Lew Yii Jen, NHG Polyclinics clinical director.
For polyclinic patients with non-flu symptoms, the waiting time might be longer, said Dr Lew.
Patients with chronic illnesses will be given more supplies of medication so that they would not need to visit the clinic so often, he added.
