If you need to see a doctor because of the haze, you may not have to pay the usual consultation and medication bill. From 12 October 2026, eligible Singaporeans can receive treatment for haze-related conditions for S$10 or less under the Haze Subsidy Scheme.
But before heading to your neighbourhood GP, there is one detail to check: all Singapore Citizens qualify at polyclinics, while participating GP clinics have narrower eligibility requirements. Where you seek treatment can therefore determine whether you receive the subsidy. MOH announced the scheme’s activation on 11 October, following worsening air quality caused by transboundary haze.
Why Is The Haze Subsidy Scheme Being Activated?
The haze is affecting more than our outdoor plans. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on 11 October that emergency departments were seeing a week-on-week increase in patients with respiratory issues, while visits to polyclinics were also rising.
This year’s haze has coincided with the Influenza A season, adding to the respiratory problems Singaporeans are experiencing. Mr Ong also said haze conditions could persist for a few more weeks.
To help patients access affordable treatment, MOH is activating both the Public Health Preparedness Clinic (PHPC) Scheme and the Haze Subsidy Scheme. The former brings private clinics into the public health response, while the latter subsidises eligible patients’ bills. The haze subsidies were last activated in 2015.
All Singapore Citizens Qualify At Polyclinics
At polyclinics, all Singapore Citizens are eligible for subsidised haze-related treatment. You do not need to hold a CHAS card or fall within a particular age group.
At participating PHPC GP clinics, you must be a Singapore Citizen who meets at least one of the following requirements:
| Eligibility category | Who qualifies |
|---|---|
| Age | Aged 18 and below, or 65 and above |
| Government support schemes | Public Assistance, Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation, CHAS Blue or Orange, or Medical Fee Exemption Card holders |
For example, a 35-year-old Singaporean without any qualifying card can receive subsidised haze-related treatment at a polyclinic, but would not qualify at a participating GP based on citizenship alone. Their child aged 18 or below would qualify at either.
How Much Will You Actually Pay?
The amount depends on your eligibility category:
| Patient category | Maximum payment for covered treatment |
|---|---|
| Public Assistance cardholders | S$0 |
| Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation seniors | S$5 |
| Other eligible Singapore Citizens | S$10 |
Being aged 65 or above qualifies you at a participating GP, but does not automatically entitle you to the S$5 rate. That lower cap applies to PG and MG seniors.
These are maximum payments. If your total bill is lower, you pay the lower amount, and no additional GST is charged on these fees.
Having A Cough Does Not Automatically Mean You Qualify
The scheme covers allergic rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, upper respiratory tract infections and their complications. However, your doctor must assess whether the condition is haze-related.
The subsidy also does not cover every item you might want from the clinic. Medication is prescribed for the current episode of illness, rather than as a long-term supply. Masks and unrelated treatment are excluded.
If you have both a haze-related condition and a respiratory infection during the consultation, the relevant payment cap still applies. These treatment and payment details are explained in MOH’s Haze Subsidy Scheme FAQs on HealthHub.
Check Your GP Before Making The Trip
Not every GP clinic participates. Of about 1,370 clinics in the PHPC scheme, close to 1,000 had responded positively by the morning of 11 October. Mr Ong also advised patients without major medical issues to visit a PHPC clinic rather than an emergency department.
You can find participating clinics through MOH’s haze information page, or look for a PHPC decal or Haze Subsidy Scheme poster. Bring identification and your relevant physical or digital scheme card.
Clinically appropriate teleconsultations may also qualify. If an in-person assessment is needed, the subsidy applies to that consultation instead. Subsidies are limited to one visit per day.
For Singaporeans who do not meet the GP eligibility requirements, the useful takeaway is that the subsidy is still available at polyclinics. Checking this before booking can help you avoid paying more than necessary for covered treatment.
Photo Credit: iStock/southtownboy
