THE use of Medisave funds for health screening is under study.

Experts will look into what makes up "appropriate health screening", and how much it will cost.

Based on this, the Health Ministry might allow Singaporeans to draw on their Medisave accounts to pay for these tests, subject to a limit.

But what is for sure is that "unethical screening" tests will be barred, said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan when he announced the new move yesterday during the debate on the Health Ministry budget.

One type of screening he cited was "genetic forecasting", in which an expensive test claims to be able to tell a person's risk of getting certain illnesses.

This test is "little better than consulting the tea leaves", he said, quoting from the newspaper International Herald Tribune.

The possible use of Medisave for screening follows several years of requests by Members of Parliament and the public.

Yesterday, Dr Lam Pin Min, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Health, argued "that early detection and subsequent prompt treatment of diseases can improve the prognosis and outcome".

Dr Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade GRC) echoed his call, but warned against being too liberal as it would open up a "new Pandora's Box and we risk having unnecessary tests added to the list".

In response, Mr Khaw said: "I am sympathetic to the call as I believe in prevention."  

However, "the question is what kind of health screening...Not all are fully justified or necessary", he added.

Hence, the expert group headed by Professor Lee Hin Peng, a senior public health specialist, will identify what constitutes appropriate health screening.

The group will also review the range of screening available.

Mr Khaw said his ministry will study the financial implications of such screening, so that it will know what limits to place should it decide to allow Medisave for such use.

This approach was taken in 2006 when it allowed the use of Medisave to pay up to $500 a year for outpatient treatment of chronic ailments.