The Health Promotion Board (HPB) now tracks movement across and at all distribution channels daily to detect signs of excesses building up, after it was reported that 341,000 excess fitness trackers worth S$5.39 million in total were not put to use.
The Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) had earlier revealed in its report that excess fitness trackers not put to use by HPB had resulted in “a significant sum of public funds” wasted over the last five years, given the usability of these trackers would deteriorate over time.
The trackers were given free to eligible participants who signed up for the National Steps Challenge to encourage people to exercise more. Each tracker cost between S$10.38 and S$24.90, depending on the model.
AGO also found that some of the trackers had mouldy straps and watch faces, and that the two-year warranty for the remaining 35 per cent will expire by December this year.
Following this revelation, the Workers’ Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Aljunied GRC Gerald Giam raised a parliamentary question on whether HPB will consider distributing all the still-functional fitness trackers from among the 341,000 excess fitness trackers that it purchased for the National Steps Challenge.
In response, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said in a written reply on Tuesday (3 Aug) that HPB has enhanced the processes for central monitoring of the movement and stocks of fitness trackers.
“HPB now tracks movement across and at all distribution channels closely on a daily basis to detect signs of excesses building up. Audits and physical stock checks will also be done twice a year instead of annually.
“Excess inventory from previous years will be counted towards providing trackers for the following year’s activity,” said the Minister.
Mr Ong noted that 120,000 of the total excess fitness trackers remain functional, of which 48,000 were used to replace trackers that are faulty or with expired warranties.
About 3,000 trackers have also been used to support community partners, companies, and other government agencies in their health and wellness initiatives.
The remaining 69,000 functional trackers will continue to be used for similar purposes, he added.
“Unfortunately, the rest of the excess fitness trackers have been disposed of, as they have exceeded the average useful life or were no longer functional,” said Mr Ong.
“Moving forward, HPB will be more conservative in its projections of the number of fitness trackers to be procured,” he asserted, adding that any additional purchase of trackers will be done only when excess bookings are received from participants.
Mr Ong also noted that HPB has broadened the criteria of replacement for the 1-to-1 exchange and will proactively inform participants so that they will come forward to exchange the trackers if their trackers are defective.
“MOH will closely monitor the implementation of these measures, and work with HPB to determine accountability and the prudent use of resources as we continue with our efforts to encourage Singaporeans to adopt healthier lifestyles,” he added.
