The ruling party may have retained an overwhelming majority in Parliament, but the overall results for the PAP are less than stellar, as their national vote share dropped to 60.14%, "the lowest in all post-independence elections".
At Singapore MD, readership hit an all-time high of 1,532 on 6 May, as varied opinions from our contributors generated spirited debates. Prof. Tambyah's SDP rally speech was especially contentious, resulting in a steady stream of comments and rebuttals.
A number of S'pore MD's writers have met Prof. T in person, and have great respect for him as a physician and tutor. I sat at the same table with him at a wedding dinner a few years ago, and still can't quite believe that this mild-mannered gentleman could stand up in front of thousands at an opposition party rally, to lambast the MOH. Bravo!
As for rumours that he was asked to resign, these remain unfounded. However, a source indicates he may have been called up by certain powers-that-be for, ahem, "a chat".
So as the new government prepares to tackle the next 5 years, I hope the PAP will indeed "reflect" on what it's done wrong, and endeavour to rectify its mistakes. And since S'pore MD is featured in daily reports churned out at the MOH, I trust Minister Khaw will pay more attention to the issues being raised by our bloggers and readers, who comprise healthcare workers and laypeople.
From what I've read in recent weeks, the hottest topics appear to be:
1) manpower imbalance between the public and private sectors - how to plug the leak?
2) foreign doctors - boon or bane?
3) improving subsidized medical care for S'poreans - increase Medisave usage? increase GDP expenditure?
4) the plight of GPs - what can be done to channel them back into primary healthcare and away from aesthetic medicine?
5) assistance for singles caring for elderly parents with chronic illnesses - they should not be left out of the equation
Any additional suggestions are welcome in the comments section.
As for the "horror stories" about high-profile patients who punish innocent doctors, I suggest these doctors report the incidents to the Worker's Party. More ammo for the next GE.
Good idea, no? :)
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10 comments:
i think this is a very apt letter from ST Forum:
May 7, 2011
Ultimately, good stems from us, not the politicians
THE General Election has spun a host of negative comments, especially those flooding the online media, despite a more educated and informed society.
I hope that when we pause to reflect, we remember that courtesy and graciousness should have a place as well by pondering these questions:
•Society comprises many units of families. A harmonious family contributes to national peace and stability. Do I treat my parents well? Do I support them, love them and care for them?
•Have I set a good example for fellow citizens and the young ones by being a law-abiding citizen? Do I litter or help keep the environment clean?
Or do I just blame the town council for not cleaning my estate and not setting up more rubbish bins?
In Japan, there are very few rubbish bins and yet the streets are very clean. The Japanese take their rubbish home and sort all waste into different categories for recycling before disposing them in allocated bins.
•Am I a happy and contented person by being caring, helpful and serving others? Or do I seek instant gratification from material stuff?
•Do I bear responsibility for my health by doing regular exercise and eating moderately, or do I neglect it and blame others?
•Am I grateful and appreciative of being able to enjoy the parks and gardens, or do I dirty these places when I visit?
Each of us can effect a positive change and it begins with us, not the politicians.
Ang Wu Chye
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_665764.html
That letter caught my eye too, jun.
Admittedly there than things that we can do, and there are those that we cannot - but in the heat of the election we see people at once blaming government as the root of all problems and the solution to them. We are given the freedom to vote, but we use it to abdicate our responsibility to act. We imagine that our troubles are the results of our casting of a ballot, and that they can be banished with the same.
We must remember that we are more than what the government makes us. We must remember that the government shouldn't be more than what we make it.
Thanks for dispelling the rumors! As I posted on my FB page, my absence from work on Friday was due to my serving one of my SAF-100s at Jurong Camp!
I have been happily back at work today with tremendous support from senior and junior staff. No threats, only some very kind offers from friends at a couple of private hospitals which I politely declined!!
Paul Ananth
Would healthcare in Singapore be better if subsidy per patient increases?
Too much hate going around on both sides. A public sector doctor actually posted on Facebook to the effect that he would not resuscitate a certain ruling party leadership figure if he collapsed in front of that doctor.
Something is wrong when so much hate is going around, clouding even the Hippocratic Oath.
Glad to hear the comment from Dr Paul Ananth .. wiping off my sweat .. wouldn't want to see any opp or speakers in trouble now that GE is over - they're so much appreciated for speaking out on behalf of all sporeans. I think opp camp has been quite careful - focusing on the issues. I dun feel good instead seeing distasteful, irrelevant remarks coming from 1 or 2 in the pap camp.
gracious, and yet you haven't noticed distasteful, irrelevant remarks coming from more than 1 or 2 in the opposition camp? :S
Whatever. But I must say that post-election, the pap side showed more courteousy. I felt very painful to see GY congratulating the winning team despite the sadness, not bitterness, on his face. PP winner also humbly thanked CST for taking care of the ward for the past 27 yrs in his victory speech. Doesn't the WP team has something to thank GY for & give him their blessings n best wishes during their jubilant moments? Since they are given the opportunity to speak, wouldn't it be nice if each losing team can leave a good impression at the end of this whole GE by graciously thanking voters & congratulate their respective winning team instead of showing a bitter disappointed face, however difficult it may be? Good that 1 or 2 did. People dislike arrogance from any side, not necessary from pap.
"A public sector doctor actually posted on Facebook to the effect that he would not resuscitate a certain ruling party leadership figure if he collapsed in front of that doctor."
Frankly, I am horrified. It is inappropriate for us to make value judgements about the people we *resuscitate* and faced with the same situation, I would resuscitate the individual (whoever *cough* he might be) -- even if it was in the best interests of the public, or for the greater good that he... pass on.
It is very much akin to resuscitating a proven criminal - this person deserves a shot at life, and perhaps even a chance at rehabilitation should he Repent.
I suppose that is what distinguishes doctors from politicians - we are bound by our personal convictions (that and the law is rather inflexible when it comes to killing people.)
I hesitate to bring the Hippocratic Oath into this - we are not bound by an Oath but by who we are before we took that oath, and not all medical schools today advocate swearing fealty to a dead philosopher.
I worry for whoever wrote that though - perhaps he should examine his convictions as to his suitability to continue practise medicine.
He might do better in politics.
I think the opposition took many cheap pot shots, which lowered my estimation of them and detracted from the messages that they were trying to transmit. Instilling a sense of xenophobia and hate certainly should not be the pervue of any doctor be he pro or anti the ruling party
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