The future of healthcare lies in responsible self-care

AS Singapore's population ages rapidly and chronic ailments continue rising, the country has more than doubled its healthcare spending from S$4.7 billion in 2012 to S$11 billion in 2016. At a 15 per cent medical inflation rate and an expected tenfold increase in elderly health costs by 2030, there is a pressing need for a fundamental shift in the healthcare ecosystem to include responsible self-care.

It is imperative for us to take more responsibility for our own health as healthcare systems are increasingly strained. Responsible self-care includes making healthy diet and lifestyle choices, and responsible and well-informed management of symptoms due to minor self-treatable conditions. In addition, a combination of education campaigns and regulatory changes driven by collaborative efforts from the government, healthcare companies and employers is critical in enabling this shift towards a more robust and holistic healthcare model.

Responsible self-care has tremendous potential to support Singapore's healthcare systems by nurturing a healthier population with improved wellness, longer and healthier life expectancy and reduced use of healthcare services. It reduces the healthcare cost burden on the government, private sector and individuals, and allows redeployment of healthcare resources to deal with priority healthcare areas such as infectious and serious chronic diseases. Ultimately, this creates a long-term sustainable system.