NTUC Income has launched a $6 million assistance scheme to help elderly and low-income policyholders cope with premium increases during the current economic downturn.

About 77,000 Incomeshield policyholders, most of whom hold plans pegged to the B and C wards in hospitals, will benefit from this year-long scheme.

NTUC Income chief executive Tan Suee Chieh said on Wednesday that the assistance scheme 'would provide some relief to our policyholders facing hard times' during this financial crisis.

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