GPs warn of mounting strain as chronic illness cases rise in community clinics

The clinic has seen a 10 to 15 per cent rise in the number of chronic disease and preventive care cases.

“Right now, most clinics are struggling with the doctor and the clinic assistants that they had earlier, but that load is getting too heavy to bear,” said Dr Tok.

He added that if clinics have to increase their level of care, not only will its staff have to take on more responsibilities, but costs will also rise.

“Because obviously, while we try to help patients as much as we can financially, sometimes we reduce fees or we waive fees,” he said.

“Obviously that cannot be a mass model, and that’s where we need the government’s help with the fair remuneration for the additional services and costs that we’re now being asked to provide.”

Last year, the government increased its grants for family clinics by 52 per cent to S$350 million (US$273 million), up from S$230 million in 2022. This works out to an average of more than S$140,000 per clinic.

Still, Dr Tok said more support is needed as operating costs continue to rise. For his clinic, costs have increased by at least 20 per cent over the past year.

He added that clinics also need more manpower for administrative work and patient outreach efforts.