To get the public's views on how to promote
healthy living among the young, an eight-week-long online consultation was
launched yesterday.
It is
part of overall engagement efforts by the inter-agency NurtureSG taskforce
announced last month, which aims to improve the health of Singapore's youth.
"We
understand that if we only have face-to-face focus groups discussions,
definitely some parents won't be able to find the time," said Minister of
State for Health Lam Pin Min, who co-chairs NurtureSG along with Minister of
State for Education and Communications & Information Janil Puthucheary.
The
online consultation form can be found on the Ministry of Health website, where
the public can also sign up for face-to-face discussions.
After
public consultation this year, the taskforce will discuss the findings and
expects to submit recommendations next year. It will focus on areas including
nutrition, exercise, myopia, mental resilience and dental health, said Dr Lam.
"But
along the way, during the consultation process, if we see that there are
certain areas that warrant our attention, we will be happy to include those as
well," he added.
He was
speaking to reporters at the first face-to-face engagement session at
Anchorvale Community Centre, targeted at parents and caregivers of pre-school
children.
Among the
35 participants were Mr Rathina Sabapathy, who works in IT, and his wife.
"We're
mainly concerned about the issue of obesity and dental health," he said,
adding that their three-year-old daughter is healthy.
Upcoming
sessions will focus on getting views from parents and caregivers of primary and
secondary school students.
Besides
parents and caregivers, the task force will also work with educators and food
establishments such as school canteen operators.
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