SATA-CommHealth-and-TTSH-Sign-MOU-Commemorating-14-Years-of-Partnership-in-the-DOT-and-SHOP-Programme

24 March 2023 - SATA CommHealth and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) today announced the successful renewal of their Directly Observed Therapy (DOT & SHOP) programme with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Now in its 14th year of the programme, this MOU formalises the collaboration and will be extended for a 3-year commitment - further cementing SATA CommHealth's and TTSH's dedications in the elimination of tuberculosis (TB) in Singapore.

Since its launch in 2009, the DOT & SHOP programme has supported many TB patients by dispensing supermarket vouchers as incentives to encourage them to complete the full course of treatment. To date, the programme has since enrolled a total of 2,920 TB patients.

To accelerate the elimination of TB by 2030 in Singapore, SATA CommHealth, TTSH Tuberculosis Control Unit (TBCU) and TTSH Community Fund (TTSH CF) will continue on their mission towards increasing the compliance rates for TB treatment among patients under the DOT & SHOP programme. Besides the ongoing challenges such as the nation's aging population, continued community transmission, population mobility and the threat of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis, completing the full course of TB treatment remains one of the underlying challenges that patients face as they will have to undergo treatment over the course of six to nine months for drug-sensitive TB. As such, an additional incentive of transport assistance in terms of cash reimbursement are given to these patients to render stronger support for medical compliance to medical appointments at the TBCU. Transport allowance has been allocated for needy patients undergoing outpatient supervised TB treatment at the polyclinics or TBCU since 2019.

Scaling up the existing tuberculosis initiatives, the eligibility criteria for TB patients to enroll in the DOT & SHOP programme has been enhanced this year to allow the flexibility to assist deserving and needy families. Under the income tier eligibility, citizens or permanent residents of Singapore with per capita household income (PCHI) between S$1,200 to S$1,400 will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

To better reflect the means of the patient and direct the support towards those who need it more, the programme will also take into account the overall financial resources of the household through the exclusion of non-supportive children's income and non-Singaporean dependents (spouse and children living overseas). This will be based on TBCU's recommendation in the computation of PCHI.

Starting January this year, SATA CommHealth will continue to support by pledging up to $100,000 of cash annually for another three years ending 28 February 2026 through TTSH CF, which will administer the funds. The vouchers are given to patients who have taken all their prescribed doses of medication in the month and also after completing the entire course of treatment.

Mr Mahindran, age 62, living and caring for his elderly mother, was among the beneficiaries of the DOT and SHOP programme. He was diagnosed with TB in June 2022 and has since completed nine months of TB treatment via the Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) at the polyclinic of his choice.

As I am unemployed, Tan Tock Seng Hospital offered to enrol me into the DOT and SHOP programme. The vouchers were useful to cover my household expenses like groceries and motivated me to complete my treatment. Going for DOT helped me understand the importance of seeking treatment so that I do not infect my loved ones. Now that the per capita household income has risen, it will definitely benefit more patients who need the support."

- Mr Mahindran

SATA CommHealth is committed to help the seniors and vulnerable. The DOT & SHOP programme ensures that underprivileged patients with Tuberculosis can complete their entire course of treatment without having to worry about transport cost. With the expanded scope of benefits, we hope to serve more in the community."

- Dr Kelvin Phua, CEO SATA CommHealth

We thank SATA CommHealth for their commitment to TB control in Singapore. The DOT and SHOP programme has encouraged many of our needy patients over the years to adhere to their treatment via Directly Observed Therapy. With the rising cost of living in Singapore, our patients continue to face even greater challenges in the years to come. We hope that through the DOT and SHOP vouchers and the transport allowance, both SATA CommHealth and TBCU are able to at least help them overcome the financial barriers to successful TB treatment."

- Dr Shera Tan, Clinical Director and Respiratory Physician of TBCU, TTSH

The MOU is an initiative by SATA CommHealth and TTSH to further enhance DOT compliance rates in Singapore. Both organisations are committed and have a common objective in protecting the community from TB transmission, by increasing the compliance and completion of TB treatment.