Toa Payoh - An Overview

​

The mention of “Toa Payoh” invokes a certain sense of nostalgia for some Singaporeans. Some may remember Toa Payoh as the second satellite town built by the Housing Development Board in the 1960s, marking a transition from a kampung lifestyle to living in high-rise concrete flats¹. Perhaps that design of clustering neighbourhoods around a Town Centre that serves as a focal point has played a part in shaping interactions amongst the community: residents coming together to enjoy a meal, cheer on a badminton match at Toa Payoh Sports Hall, or catch up on their reading at the Public Library.

Over the years, Toa Payoh has seen many changes, but that sense of community has remained. Today, more than a fifth of the residents in Toa Payoh are above the age of 65 years, and almost one in three residents live alone. These are significantly higher proportions compared to the national average². In addition, around 12% of residents above the age of 65 face difficulties or are unable to carry out at least one functional activity such as seeing, hearing, or walking/climbing stairs. There are about 3,600 resident households with at least one such family member³.

Providing place-based care is a key tenet to residents continuing to stay healthy and live well in Toa Payoh. This has been made possible with the strong support from Central Health partners such as Toa Payoh Polyclinic, Care Corner, Thye Hua Kwan Hospital, and many others. For example, in July, Toa Payoh East Community Club worked with our Community Health Team (CHT) to bring care closer to residents through a health screening event. Residents were screened for vision, hearing, and dental issues as well as their mobility status, and received referrals to follow-up care near their home if necessary. Our Community Health Teams also signed interested residents up for health activities during the event.

Working through Communities of Care, partners across Central Health will continue efforts on the ground to strengthen the health and social integration in Toa Payoh, for current and future generations to continue creating memories in this vibrant neighbourhood.

Notes

1. National Heritage Board. ‘Toa Payoh Heritage Trail‘. Last accessed: 27 July 2022
2. National average of residents > 65 years is 15%, and living alone is 22%. (Census 2020, Department of Statistics)
3. Census 2020, Department of Statistics