SINGAPORE — As they are usually the first the elderly turn to for answers, front-line staff at healthcare institutions and voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) will be tapped to help elderly Singaporeans better understand the Pioneer Generation Package.

Communicating the details of the package has been a “special challenge” for the Government, said Senior Minister of State (Transport and Finance) Josephine Teo today (April 8). Although traditional channels used to communicate policies such as print advertisements and websites are still needed, she said they are unlikely to be enough.

So, a 22-member taskforce has been formed to focus on communication and outreach. Co-led by Mrs Teo and Senior Minister of State (Health and Manpower) Amy Khor, it includes members from the people and social sectors as well as media-related fields. Other members include Minister of State (National Development and Defence) Maliki Osman, as well as representatives from ministries and agencies involved in policy design and implementation of the package.

The S$9 billion Pioneer Generation Package provides benefits to about 450,000 Singaporeans aged 65 or older who became citizens before 1987. It includes annual Medisave top-ups of S$200 to S$800 for life, as well as subsidies for MediShield Life premiums and treatment at specialist outpatient clinics and polyclinics.

The Ministry of Communications and Information has released 29 videos to raise awareness about the package — seven each in English, Malay, Tamil and Mandarin, and one in Hokkien.

A key objective of the taskforce is to raise awareness about the healthcare benefits and provide greater assurance to pioneers. It will also support community efforts to reach out and pay tribute to them.

Said Dr Khor: “It is important that we spare no effort to help our pioneers understand the key initiatives and benefits of the Pioneer Generation Package ... We look forward to tapping the expertise ... of taskforce members, who are either natural touchpoints for pioneers — such as those from healthcare institutions, VWOs and grassroots — or experts in the field of public communications.”

Commenting on the taskforce’s first meeting held today, Mrs Teo said its members have their work cut out for them, but “share the belief that we can find new ways to be effective in the outreach, to let pioneers have the peace of mind and recognition they so deserve”.