Sunday, January 31, 2016

My thoughts, my views, my concerns: A love story that will go on and on


I was deeply moved when I read about the passing of a remarkable husband in The Man Who Discovered And Married Celine Dion (Life Section,The Straits Times, January 16. )


Celebrities are often discovered when just one person believes in another, and this was so true in the case of Rene Angelil who was so struck by Celine Dion’s voice that he took a gamble and mortgaged his house to finance the diva’s debut album – which eventually led to her successful musical career.


The couple has also proven beyond a shadow of doubt that age is just a number when it comes to relationship and that although Rene battled cancer for a long period, Celine stood by her man through thick and thin. Never raising the white flag at any point in time.

 
For couples deeply in love, they would want to spend their final moments in a loving environment. To this end, it was poignant reading of how Celine coaxed her hubby into asking him to talk to her about his life-threatening illness to which his reply was he would want to die in her arms. 

 
Most certainly, the doting couple has carried out their marriage vows in every sense of the word by caring and loving one another ‘in sickness and in health, for better or worse’, and we can all learn from Rene and Celine.   No doubt with this staunch commitment which the couple has clearly demonstrated, the admiration in our hearts for them, will go on and on.

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

Friday, January 29, 2016

Take safety measures; incorporate survival and crisis skills for all drivers: An open letter to The Home Affairs & Transport Ministers; and other Government leaders


Friday 29th January 2016
 
 
Last week, a mother and daughter were killed in a car accident after their car plunged into a canal.
It is so sad that despite Mr Robin Poon’s wife and daughter both surviving life-threatening illnesses, both of them died in a most tragic manner, leaving him to go through enormous emotional pain ( “A stupid accident that shouldn’t have happened”) The New Paper on Tuesday , Jan 26).
 
Losing a loved one in a tragedy is painful enough, but it is even more devastating when two immediate relatives die at the same time in an accident that is mind boggling.
 
Even though he has two relatives who are was probably his whole world, Mr Robin Poon can be comforted to know that he has been a loving and dedicated husband to his wife and a doting father to his only daughter. 
 
Undoubtedly, grief will take a long time to heal, so we must all rally around and support those who struggle to find answers.
 
 
INTRODUCE SAFETY MEASURES  
 
Although this accident could be a remote one, it would be prudent to heed the advice of experts by installing bollards at areas where there are risks of drivers getting into accidents, as suggested by Mr Lee Swee Thin who was the former officer in charge of the Road Safety Branch of the Traffic Police in the late 80s’. 
 
Then, we should take the advice of commercial driving expert Edwin Yeo who believes that it if a driver is trapped inside a car underwater, the best course of action would be to remain calm and wait for the water to fill the car so that the pressure inside and outside the vehicle will make it easier to open the car door and make the escape.
 
Perhaps, it is time for the Traffic Police to make it compulsory for all driving instructors to include survival and crisis skills to all drivers, including  those  who transport passengers on public transport so that during any accident, lives can be saved or reclaimed. 
 
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
 
 
This accident could be a signal for worse things to come, so we must plan carefully, build the necessary infrastructure and provide the compulsory training so that our drivers are well equipped to handle any crisis.
 
Imagine a busload of school children or 100 or more passengers on board a public bus being thrown into a river or canal if such safety measures are not put in place.
 
 
A friend of mine told me that a bus load of children traveling on a bus in America some time ago, were all killed when the vehicle plunged into a sea.
 
SAFETY DEMOS
 
 
It is prudent to have foresights to plan for any crisis – no matter how remote it may be.
 
Whenever we travel out station – either on a plane or on cruise, live demonstrations by the crew and videos creatively produced guide passengers on what to do during a crisis.  It is most helpful. A similar programme could be used for our public transport systems.  I am sure the authorities would look at the cost involved, but I fervently believe that we should not tag everything to dollars and cents – especially when lives could be a stake.
 
The media has been doing a good job in raising awareness of mental health issues and other social problems; hence it must continue to support submissions and suggestions that will, in the long run, be beneficial to all our people. To make Singapore the best home to live in, the government has to make sure that this tiny little red dot is a safe haven for one and all.
 
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

 

 

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Letter to The Straits Times Forum Page: Teach all drivers survival skills

An edited version of my letter on the above subject appears in The Straits Times Forum Page today, Thursday 28th January 2016.

Perhaps it is time to make it compulsory for all driving instructors to teach survival and crisis skills in driving lessons, so that fewer lives many be lost during an accident(“Experts’ advice on what to do if trapped in a car underwater;” Tuesday).

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando


Footnote:  This was my submission  that was edited:
 
Losing a loved one in a tragedy is painful enough, but it is even more devastating when two immediate relatives die at the same time in an accident that is mind boggling (“Relatives struggle to make sense of accident”; Tuesday).
Even though he has two relatives who are was probably his whole world, Mr Robin Poon can be comforted to know that he has been a loving and dedicated husband to his wife and a doting father to his only daughter. 
Even though my wife has passed away more than 18 months ago, I still find it hard to believe that she left me so suddenly.  Undoubtedly, grief will take a long time to heal, so we must all rally around and support those who struggle to find answers. 
 


 

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Public Suggestion: Introduce a Caregiver Specialist scheme to help those grappling with mental illness


It is a well know fact that family members trying to cope with a loved one struggling with any type of mental disorders will have to grapple with a whole range of powerful and often unpleasant emotions that leaves them mentally and physically exhausted.

Like schizophrenia, Obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) is a difficult illness to manage and just like anxiety disorders, caregivers will have sleepless nights worrying about their charges.  There have been cases when OCD suffers cause serious health problems not just for their caregivers, but to the neighbours as well.  Then, because they feel unclean, they will waste water and wash themselves repeatedly causing the water bills to shoot sky high.

Besides anxiety disorders and OCD affecting our younger generation, depression and dementia hits the older folks and this is why it is imperative that a staunch support system be put in place.

For caregivers who are in this journey for the very first time, they will be lost in the woods; can become vulnerable into falling into depression and giving up on life or even abandoning their stricken ones.

Often, one of the best support comes from people who have walked in the shoes of caregivers. Since there is a Peer Specialist scheme already in place, why not introduce a Caregiver Specialist scheme? These are people who have proven to be resilient in lending support and motivating family members caring for loved ones with mental illness. 

 
With clinical support from the psychiatrists, patient support from Peer Specialist and finally support from Caregiver Specialists for caregivers, the structural support for the mentally ill becomes wholesome and very holistic.

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO 

 
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Friday, January 22, 2016

Unpublished letter to The Straits Times: Be mindful that health issues are sometimes beyond our control

 

Regular ST Forum Writer Jeffrey Law Lee Beng wrote to The Straits  Times (ST) Forum page today, Friday 22nd January 2016 highlighting that Singaporeans ought to take care of their health in order to keep medical expenditure down. 
 
I submitted my views on Law's letter, but the ST refused to publish it.  Clearly there is a lack of understanding on some illnesses and this must be corrected because it wrong to judge.  In this instance, the press fails to understand that in journalism different perspectives give readers a wider choice as well as for policy makers to relook at their policies that can benefit our seniors in the long run.
 
Here's my unpublished letter:

I agree that Singaporeans have to take care of their health so as not to overstretch healthcare expenditure (“Singaporeans can help rein in rising healthcare cost; Friday 22 Jan).   This has always been the stand of the Ministry of Health, which I support as well

However, as much as people want to stay healthy, there are instances when our health is compromised due to issues beyond our control.  Take for instance, mental illness where patients have to struggle with schizophrenia, depression or bipolar which is either genetic, lack of chemical imbalances in the brain or due to an increasing stressful environment which not everyone has the ability to cope with.

Next, ageing issues will take a toll on our elderly, be it poor vision or mobility problems. This is where Medishield Life can help to ease the burden of rapid healthcare costs to support our seniors who have contributed in the past to Singapore’s economic miracle. 

Poor vision or vision loss among the elderly is a major healthcare problem and many of our seniors will require cataract operations once they hit 60 and beyond.   The most common cause of vision loss among our elderly includes macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy.

A recent check with Tan Tock Seng Hospital revealed to my surprise that Medishield Life does not pay a single cent for cataract operations which cost $950 per eye.

To our seniors who have no steady monthly income and live all alone with no family support, $950 is a huge sum. Every month, with the cost of living skyrocketing, a senior in this group needs at least $400 a month for his/her meals and to pay the conservancy charges and PUB which are also going up.  So to these seniors even a medical bill of $400 is a burden.

Although Medishield Life has been implemented to help Singaporeans with their medical bills, there is still more to be done to provide better coverage for our seniors who have little savings, cannot afford to purchase outriders and have no income.

 
Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Medishield Life ought to pay for eye operations to support seniors: An open report to the Singapore Government


21st January 2016

At the fourth Healthcare Infrastructure Technology and Engineering conference, Minister of State for Health Chee Hong Tat spoke of the necessity for Singapore to do all it can to prevent rapid healthcare costs ( refer to The Straits Times report, ‘Prevent rapid rise in healthcare costs’; Wednesday. 

I am glad that the Ministry of Health (MOH) is fully aware that rising medical costs is a valid concern of our ageing population, and hopefully the assurance from the newly appointed Minister of State for Health Chee Hong Tat to ensure that healthcare remains affordable will give our seniors much more peace of mind.

Today, another report in the same newspaper highlights how Health Minster Gan Kim Yong wants to make healthcare affordable in the report “Keeping S’pore healthy and boosting standards”; Thursday.

Although Medishield Life has been implemented to help Singaporeans with their medical bills, there is still more to be done to provide better coverage for our seniors who have little savings, cannot afford to purchase outriders and have no income.

Poor vision or vision loss among the elderly is a major healthcare problem and many of our seniors will require cataract operations once they hit 60 and beyond.   The most common cause of vision loss among our elderly includes macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy.

A recent check with Tan Tock Seng Hospital revealed to my surprise that Medishield Life does not pay a single cent for cataract operations which cost $950 per eye.

To our seniors who have no steady monthly income and live all alone with no family support, $950 is a huge sum. Every month, with the cost of living skyrocketing, a senior in this group needs at least $400 a month for his/her meals and to pay the conservancy charges and PUB which are also going up.  So to these seniors even a medical bill of $400 is a burden.

How do you expect our elderly folks to enjoy a better quality of life, go for outings/ recreation when their vision is poor? What happens when they fall from the bus because of poor eyesight and then have to end up paying for expensive knee operations?

Our ministers and MPs will not be able to feel the pinch of rising medical costs because they are very well paid. But these politicians who were elected by the very people who now require support, must never lose touch of the ground.

In any event, what is the point of paying Medishield Life year in and year out, in the years ahead when our seniors who contributed much to Singapore’s economic growth cannot have any peace of mind when vision is so important to their well being in their twilight years?  More so when this group has little Medisave in their CPF accounts, which they will undoubtedly require for other ailments which is bound to come about due to old age. . 

To this end, I appeal to MOH to relook at the payouts for Medishield Life on eye operations for seniors commencing from the age of 60.

 
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO


 

Raymond A Fernando's ;Letter to The Straits Times: Make an effort to cut food wastage


My letter to The Straits Times on the above matter is published today, Thursday 21st January 2016.

I support the call by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli for us to take concrete steps to prevent food wastage (“Waste not, want not”; Jan 18).

Here in Singapore, most people are fortunate to be able to enjoy a meal every day, but this is not the case with many less fortunate people elsewhere.

The reality is that the amount of food waste produced worldwide is more than enough to feed nearly one billion hungry people.

I have observed that at hotels and restaurants here, there is a large portion of food that is wasted at buffets and other events. Perhaps this food could be given to the needy, as well as migrant workers.

We need to educate our children on the importance of preventing food wastage.

Raymond Anthony Fernando




 

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

My views, my concerns: Implement eldercare leave for workers to support elderly relatives in homes/hospitals


I am encouraged that at the opening of the 13th Parliament, President Tony Tan assured Singaporeans that the elected government will develop and deliver on sound policies, strengthen the country and bring people together, as was done 50 years ago where sound policies helped improve the lives of our citizens.

 And one group of citizens that must always be remembered and cherished are our senior citizens who are trying to cope with chronic illnesses – be it in nursing homes are in hospitals.

Most certainly, helping to provide a good structural support scheme for caregivers whose aged relatives are residing in nursing homes can help to improve the lives of our pioneers who have contributed to the growth of our economy.

In his effort to encourage the younger generation to marry and procreate, the government has implemented parental leave for the married fathers.  This would help ease the load off young working mothers who often take on more of child care support.

There are hundreds of seniors who reside in nursing homes as they have severe mobility issues and sicknesses which their children find difficult to strike a balance between working life and caregiving.


Workers these days have to work long and draining hours and it is a reality that not many can visit their aged parents at the nursing homes or if they are hospitalised for a long period.


To this end, I propose that the government implements a few days leave for workers to visit their parents in the homes or hospitals so that time off can be taken to promote filial piety.  To ensure that the system is not abused, the staff caring for the aged can provide an attendance chit that can be submitted to the employer.

 
RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

 

 

Friday, January 15, 2016

Letter to Voices at Today Newspaper: Enlightened bosses can help recovery of mentally ill

My letter to MediaCorp’s TODAY newspaper on the above matter is published today, Friday 15 January 2016.

Last week, a senior doctor at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) was given 12 months’ probation for holding a knife to her father’s neck to threaten him (“Doctor who threatened elderly father with knife gets 12 months’ probation”; Jan 7).

It is clear that any of us, no matter how academically qualified, can succumb to mental illness.
Experts have documented that heavy workloads, long and draining work hours, a lack of support and isolation are key factors contributing to mental illness.
It is therefore no surprise that a large portion of our workers are falling into depression.
All employers should heed the wisdom of what Community Court Judge Mathew Joseph observed on high workload and personal stress when he passed the sentence.
The well-being of workers, empathy and support are important factors in the recovery of people with mental health issues, and I applaud the judge in showing compassion to Dr Tham Kwang Wei by putting her on probation.
Having a steady job with an income allows a person to be valued and gives him or her a sense of worthiness.
This is where SGH has proved to be an enlightened employer by allowing Dr Tham to resume work as a director at SGH Life Centre’s Obesity and Metabolic Unit.
In the interests of her stability, it is best that the management ensures that Dr Tham’s work hours do not stretch longer than necessary.

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO


 

 

 

 

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Life ! The Straits Times: On upcoming Madonna’s concert: Yes, censor Madonna


My letter on the above subject is published today in The Straits Times’ Life! Section, Saturday, January 9, 2016.

 
I refer to Holy Water Dropped, Other Adjustments Made to Madonna’s R18 show (The Straits Times, Jan7).

I applaud the Media Development Authority for taking a firm stand in disallowing the diva to perform sensitive songs during her concert here.

Madonna is a talented and popular singer who has millions of fans all over the world, but some of her songs demean the Catholic faith by using holy water and crosses which are very sacred to Catholics. 

 
Even though Singapore is loosening its stance on censorship, censorship is necessary when undesirable elements are weaved into performances as it can easily influence the audience in the wrong way.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

Saturday, January 2, 2016

My views , my concerns; Vital for individual lonely seniors to receive spiritual care and support

On Thursday 31st December 2015, The Straits Times ran a report, with photographs on how the residents in some nursing home is able to get spiritual care from volunteers , many of whom are students who were took on a course to better understand the needs of seniors

As rightly pointed out by Mr Raja Chowdhury, deputy director of business development and marketing at the Social Service Institute, there is a need to carry out a stock check of what is going on within the person (“Schooled in spiritual care”; Thursday 31st December 2015) .

There is an abundance of support and care for residents in nursing homes and those on public assistance, but this vital support is clearly lacking for seniors who lived all alone within the four walls of their homes, which has demoralised isolated seniors, leaving them vulnerable to falling into depression and in some cases, suicide. The marginalised in this group are crying out for help, so let us learn to feel for them.

For Christians, the church has a moral obligation to help to support our lonely elderly in many ways so that they can look forward to a better tomorrow with renewed hope.  Most certainly, there is nothing like the power of the handshake or a hug from the clergy and his volunteers to show love, care and concern.

Here are some suggestions that can help our lonely and isolated seniors have a better quality of life, with reduction in the high cost of living that is troubling for many Singaporeans– especially for those who no longer are employed.

(a) The Archdiocese in Singapore can encourage its parishes to start and maintain a Senior Clubs where seniors can get together on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis to play scrabble, cards and socialise over breakfast or lunch.  If there is a Social Development Unit (SDU) for our young graduates, I do not see why, a Seniors Club mirrored on the same objectives cannot be implemented.


Then the church can organise outings for these seniors so that they are not cut off from the outside world and made to feel worthless.  Through these informal gatherings, there is a healthy chance for our lonely elderly to forge ties with new friends and even have pen-pal relationships which can, with the right chemistry, develop into loving relationships.

 

(b) Seniors who live all alone need to stay connected with the limited number of friends they have.  Thus, they depend heavily on their home telephones and mobiles to keep in touch with the outside world. To this end, it will be useful if SingTel could offer better rebates for all seniors from the age of 60 onwards. Just as Singapore Power offers rebates on electricity tariffs periodically, so too should this Telco company which has been making profits year in and year out.  This can be a corporate responsibility for companies to give back to society when they have benefitted from consumers.

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando