More workers to benefit from customised health programmes

SINGAPORE — More businesses will be able to benefit from customised workplace health and wellness programmes, under a new three-pronged framework announced by the Tripartite Oversight Committee (TOC) on Workplace Health today (June 24).

With a target reach of 120,000 workers by March next year, the framework will bring about more efficient delivery of workplace health and safety programmes, customised interventions for mature workers with limited access to health programmes, and holistic workplace health and safety through the Total Workplace Health and Safety approach.

At a media conference today, Senior Minister of State (Health and Manpower) and TOC Chairman Amy Khor said: “The TOC aims to involve developers, businesses, unions and the community right from the start in developing innovative, holistic and needs-based programmes as opposed to a one-size-fits-all model to effectively reach out to more sectors of the workforce and make healthy living more pervasive and effortless at the workplace.”

As part of working with businesses and developers, the newest and largest Healthy Workplace Ecosystem — aimed at promoting healthy living among working adults — was officially launched at one-north.

Made up of seven mixed-development precincts — Biopolis, Fusionopolis, Mediapolis, Nepal Hill, Vista, Wessex and Ayer Rajah — and spanning 200 hectares, the one-north Ecosystem is expected to reach more than 30,000 employees by the end of the year. The initial phase launched across one-north last November has already reached about 3,700 employees.

With perks such as healthier dining options, regular mass exercises and lunchtime workshops, employees have more opportunities to live healthier while at work.

For example. one-north’s two key food courts have been dishing out healthier meals since last November. Offered at every stall and prepared with healthier cooking methods or ingredients, they make up 21 per cent of meals sold at one-north.

There are currently two other Ecosystems. The first to be launched in October 2013 was Mapletree Business City; the second was launched last November in seven Ascendas business clusters including Singapore Science Park and Changi Business Park, in collaboration with the Health Promotion Board.

“Business clusters, such as one-north, are excellent platforms to reach our working population. With the high concentration of working adults within a geographical area, we are able to implement a variety of programmes and offer a range of cost-effective services,” added Dr Khor.

The TOC also plans on reaching 11,000 mature workers — those above 40 years old — by the end of next March, through industry-specific health and wellness programmes. Pilot programmes in the transport sector will be scaled up.