Having to pay for huge medical bills in view of rising
medical costs has always been a deep concern of all Singaporeans, and it really
saddens me to have read of the plight of Mr Thomas Lukose who was saddled with
a huge medical bill (Patient could not get place in SGH, hit with $78k bill;
Oct 11, 2017, The Straits Times).
But, it was commendable on the part of the operating
cardiac surgeon, Dry Sriram Shanker to waive the charges for his services,
after which Gleneagles Hospital also waive the medical bill of for Mr Lukose.
If we can build on that compassion and offer some options
to Singaporeans who may face a similar situation in future, I am pretty sure
the lower income groups will breathe a big sigh of relief. Moreover, offering options is always useful
to have contingency plans in place in anticipation of unexpected situations or
developments that may arise from time to time.
Securing a slot in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is an
issue that needs to be tackled quickly given that many Singaporeans are
stressed out in having to balance work and family life. So too securing a bed in a government
hospital. Given these challenges, there needs to be some flexibility and options
for any Singaporean who have problems paying huge bills due to the
unavailability of ICU slots or beds in public hospitals.
Until such time when the slots in ICU or beds are
fully resolved by the Ministry of Health (MOH), there needs to be systems in
place for Singaporeans to have peace of mind.
Offer options
To begin with MOH should collaborate with private
hospitals to allow Singaporeans who have life-threatening illnesses and cannot
secure a bed in public hospitals to pay their bills at the subsidised rates in
the private hospitals – as was rightly suggested my SPH’s Senior Health Correspondent
Salma Khalik.
Then there needs to be some other options open to
Singaporeans who are saddled with big bills through no fault of theirs. For example, patients could be allowed to pay
big bills through an instalment plan – interest free as they would need
follow-up treatment which includes medication.
Another option is for ComCare to help pay for part of
the bill as this government fund was set up primary to help elderly
Singaporeans facing financial difficulties. MOH needs to collaborate with MSF
on this matter.
Although medifund is given to patients in subsidised
wards, some flexibility can be exercised given the circumstances that the
patient/s may be caught in – as was the case with Mr Lukose. Thus, medifund assistance can be yet another
option offered to such patients.
Another viable option is for the Tote Board and the
President’s Star Charity to allocate some funds for Singaporeans who are in
this predicament.
Once approved by MOH, the social workers at the
private admitting hospital can then coordinate any of these schemes to make it a
smooth sail for the patient/s so that his/her loved ones will have peace of
mind.
While crowdfunding can help to raise some funds,
relatives should not be burdened to take this route as it will only add to
their stress and anxiety at a time when they will be deeply worried over their
gravely ill loved one.
The recovery from life-threatening illnesses such as
heart surgery must not leave the patient and his/her family with anxiety and
worry, as it can affect the healing process.
Lengthy work hours will take
a toll on the physical and mental health of workers
Separately, the Ministry of Manpower and unions
needs to review the long working hours which security guards have to clock in –
almost all of our security personnel work on a 12-hour shift on any given day. Those in the industry could be given the
flexibility to opt for shorter working hours (8 hours) or if they are fit to
work the 12-hour shift. With job
uncertainty and workers being laid off as companies downsize and restructure, some
of our retrenched workers who have bills and mortgages to pay may have to work
in the security line or drive cabs as jobs are hard to come by.
Lengthy works hours – especially for senior
citizens can have damaging effects on their physical as well as their mental
state.
On 24th August 2015, a study published
in the British medical journal – The Lancet had an alarming warning for people
who work more than 55 hours a week: They appear to have a 33 percent
higher risk of stroke than those toiling a saner 35 to 40 hours each week,
and a 13 percent increased risk of coronary heart disease, too.
In addition, a study in 2014 found that working
more than 55 hours a week at low-income jobs is associated with a
higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Then it was also found that the odds for developing depression
were more than double for those who work very long hours.
Education and medical care are two important areas for
the government to invest in. While the government is wise to invest heavily in
education as students can be groomed to become tomorrow’s leaders, the policy makers
have to also appreciate older Singaporeans – many of whom have done national
service to protect our country and who have dedicated their whole lives to our
country.
Submitted for the government’s consideration, please.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Raymond Anthony Fernando
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