From unhealthy habits to a new beginning: An unexpected journey to health & transformation

There are a few things as anxiety-inducing as waiting for the outcome of a health screening.

For Mr Chong, that moment arrived after years of ignoring warning signs. Heavy snoring, sudden breathlessness, waking up in the middle of the night, and blurry vision had become his norm over the years, but it was the alarming loss of seven kilograms in just a week that finally pushed him to seek help.

Years of unhealthy habits have taken their toll

Sitting across from his doctor Daryl Yeo Li Tian, a general practitioner, Chong, now in his early fifties, felt the weight of his neglected health.

As an outdoor sales rep for over 30 years, he had fallen into a pattern of irregular hours and unhealthy eating, and exercise was a foreign concept.

Yeo's expression shifted as he reviewed the test results, and Chong knew that something was probably not right.

The test had returned a worrying result, revealing that Chong had type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and chronic kidney disease.

This was a combination of many of Chong's fears.

His family members have been diagnosed with similar diseases before, and he believed that it was only a matter of time before he too would be eventually diagnosed.

But for him, the diseases had hit sooner than expected , and he was at a loss as to what to do.

In sickness and in health

The feeling of disbelief took days to settle before he accepted that this was his reality. What he didn't realise was that this diagnosis, and the meticulous care of Yeo, would become his first steps on an unexpected journey towards better health.

Chong’s health was at a crucial turning point. He knew that the best bet to improve his health outlook was to get the right care and make lifestyle changes now, but he was unsure where to begin.

For a start, Yeo advised Chong on the medication and follow-ups needed for him to manage his health conditions in the immediate term. He then enrolled Chong into Healthier SG and provided Chong with a personalised, comprehensive Health Plan, including guidance on lifestyle adjustments such as dietary changes and an exercise regimen that Chong could realistically implement. The goal is to help Chong manage his conditions and improve his health in the long-term.

For instance, recognising Chong's sedentary lifestyle, Yeo suggested a gradual approach to exercise. He recommended starting with extended walks, aiming for over an hour of this low-impact cardio activity.

This personalised advice proved crucial; left to his own devices, Chong might have gravitated towards more intense workouts like weightlifting which he would be unlikely to keep at. Yeo foresaw that this was a common mistake and had therefore set manageable goals to help Chong build sustainable habits.

The ongoing partnership between Yeo and Chong transformed Chong's approach to health. Their regular check-ins allowed them to discuss his challenges and successes, with Yeo offering encouragement and adjusting the plan as needed.

Building familiarity, visit by visit

Chong appreciated the continuity of care provided under Healthier SG. He found comfort in knowing he could consistently consult with Yeo, who was familiar with his medical history and personal health journey.

This ongoing relationship simplified his healthcare experience, making it easier for Chong to manage his condition and ad ess any concerns as they arose. As his regular doctor, Yeo was able to provide clear explanations of what stage Chong’s condition was at, and how to ad ess it, as he was already very familiar with Chong’s case.

While Yeo served as Chong’s primary point of contact, he was not the only one involved in Chong’s care – Yeo referred Chong to specialists where necessary and provided support in explaining the results of his health results where needed.

Small steps, big changes

Critical to this relationship was that Chong was able to see results.

As Chong implemented these lifestyle changes and followed Yeo's personalised advice, he saw remarkable improvements.

When he was initially diagnosed with several conditions, Chong recalled having to bring back “a bag full of medicines”.

This included insulin injections, as well as other regular medications.

However, with Yeo's help in adjusting Chong’s medications, Chong was able to gradually reduce the amount of medication that he was taking.

When Mothership spoke to him, he said that he had gone from four types of medications, including insulin injections, to three oral medications. He was hopeful about further reducing his medications in the near future.

Chong credited this to Yeo's personalised and attentive care, in addition to his wife and his family for being very supportive.

The Healthier SG journey

Through Healthier SG, Chong found himself under the care of Yeo, a family doctor he knew and trusted. As part of the programme, Chong received a personalised Health Plan that he saw as his starting point towards better health. For Chong, this plan wasn't just a set of instructions; it was an eye-opener that helped him become more aware of his overall health. He felt it gave him a clear path to follow, making the idea of improving his health less daunting and more achievable.

It also allowed him to access more affordable medications, as CHAS cardholders with higher chronic medication needs are able to access enhanced subsidies for selected chronic medications at their enrolled Healthier SG GP clinic, at prices comparable to polyclinics.

It also allowed him to use his MediSave to pay his bills in full, without the need for co-payment (up to the Medisave 500/700 withdrawal limit).

Chong was also told that Healthier SG clinics, which are also CHAS clinics, offer additional benefits. These include subsidised referrals to public specialist outpatient clinics for CHAS/Pioneer Generation/Merdeka Generation cardholders. Enrolees who are Singapore Citizens can also receive fully subsidised nationally recommended screenings and vaccinations at their enrolled clinics.

Note: Enhanced subsidises for selected Chronic Tier medications, and fully subsidised nationally recommended screenings and vaccinations at Healthier SG clinics, are also available to Pioneer Generation and Merdeka Generation cardholders at their enrolled Healthier SG GP clinic.

Stepping into a healthier future

Chong is now feeling healthier, having made significant changes to his diet and lifestyle.

Over time, these changes have gradually become part of his daily routine. While not always easy, his regular walks have become a habit he's grown accustomed to. He's more mindful of his food choices, often opting for healthier options.

What's more, Chong's journey to better health has become a shared adventure with his wife. Inspired by his progress, the pair now enjoy exercising together.

Chong feels better than he has in years, crediting much of his progress to Yeo's guidance and support through Healthier SG.

Ready to start your own health journey? Enrol in Healthier SG today. Visit healthiersg.gov.sg or speak to your GP to learn more and take the first step towards a healthier you.

Top image via FreePik

This sponsored article by MOH convinced the writer to sign up for Healthier SG.