THE Ministry of Health (MOH) has initiated a helping hand towards the needy Singaporeans requiring treatment for HIV, following years of feedback from welfare groups and medical practitioners.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) claims to pump in another S$8.5 million fund to help the needy. From April 2008 to March 2009, MOH had distributed S$73.7 million in Medifund grants to institutions - including some S$59 million that was channelled to needy patients.

In a statement, Action for AIDS president Roy Chan said the move is "a long time coming". He added, "Medifund will benefit individuals who are in the lowest income bracket and those who are unemployed".

The medifund aims to assist those with human immunodeficiency virus, facing financial incompetence for the treatment thereby granting them financial support for their medical bills and even medication.

Many doctors and voluntary welfare organizations (VWOs) have cheered the move

In a statement on Friday, MOH said, “Despite the injection, the funds available to the Medifund committee will always be limited, and the committee will need to balance between the needs of HIV and non-HIV patients”.

MOH added that HIV patients facing difficulties in paying their medical bills can approach the Medical Social Workers of Medifund, approved restructured hospitals and institutions for help.