S'pore prepares for haze

S'pore prepares for haze

SINGAPORE (AP): Holding out slim hope of escaping the onslaught of haze later this year, Singapore announced plans yesterday to ready its health care system for worsening air quality.

Presenting its Haze Action Plan, the Ministry of Health said measures include monitoring health complaints and advising the populace what to do during especially bad episodes of the haze.

All that in addition to ensuring extra facilities at hospitals and adequate supplies of medication.

"The review of the 1997 haze by the Ministry of Health showed that there was a 20 to 30 percent increase in attendance for haze related conditions," said Dr. Shanta Emmanuel, director of Family Health Services at the ministry.