Commentary: To contain spiralling healthcare costs in Singapore, we must remove the original sin

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POLITICAL Did

Removing” as charged” or changing it necessarily requires political does because it will be unhappy and provocative.

Most people do not want to compromise and opt for an inferior strategy if they believe a better one is available because care is their life and death issue. Some people end up choosing the less logical and less realistic option because it is an emotional issue.

For instance, 60 % of IP customers choose private medical plans, which are the priciest choice, but the majority of them choose to be treated in government hospitals when they become ill and need treatment.

Even though they already paid for a personal strategy, for the majority of them, a government clinic was adequate.

In the same way, the lot does not require the full functions that go with an” as charged” program. What may work similarly may be a less expensive strategy with limitations on what can be claimed. It would be a plan with a comprehensive list of procedures with different say limits for each, not just” as charged,” as it were. &nbsp,

My suggestion is to eliminate the” as charged” protection in IPs where MediSave resources are being used.

However, they should be entitled to this policy if they want to continue receiving it as part of a higher-end plan and are willing to pay the premiums. Just do n’t make it part of a national scheme for the majority. &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp,

This method of instantly addressing the issue is much more effective than the fragmented remedies that have been tried in recent years.

Restricting the selection of physicians in prescribed sections, as an example, is a patchwork method.

This was introduced to reduce expenses, but it quickly raised questions about how the selection of doctors was done and what happens when no members of the board are ideal.

For some patients, the physicians treating them were not even on the screen. &nbsp,

Another example: In 2018, the officials disallowed the order of users that compensate for the entire amount of the patient’s expenses.

Users are only apparent ties to the main item, which is the” as charged” program. Instead of its sidekick, would n’t it be more effective to deal with the main culprit? &nbsp,

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CNA Explains: What could more voters mean for number of MPs, electoral boundaries in Singapore’s next GE?

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What might the electoral boundaries of a city’s electorate be affected by more citizens?

With a voter turnout of 38,929, Hong Kah North SMC is now the only one to go beyond the 38, 000-vote control.

Independent observer Felix Tan, who has written about Singapore’s social environment, claimed it was possible to divide and unite a part of the SMC with a nearby GRC.

Then, he warned that it might be merged with a nearby GRC before the GRC might be restored to form two small GRCs. &nbsp,

In 2020, what was then known as Sengkang West SMC had 47, 891 electors, far above the lower limit. In the end, it was transferred to a fresh Sengkang GRC.

Today, Ang Mo Kio GRC and Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC are also nearing the 190, 000 upper limit ( for their five-MP wards ), with 188, 820 and 180, 319 voters respectively.

Both were originally six-member GRCs before being reduced in size in 2020.

With fresh SMCs and smaller GRCs carved out, authorities said they could stretch even more.

This was already the case with Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC prior to the next election, when a fresh Punggol West SMC and four-member Sengkang GRC were established. &nbsp,

The average amount of Members per GRC has dropped- from five in 2011 to 4.75 in 2015 to 4.65 in 2020- while the number of SMCs has gone off ( from 12 to 13 to 14 over the same time ).

Among the individual votes, Yuhua is the smallest with 20, 362 citizens – just above the lower restriction of 20, 000.

It is the only SMC run by Grace Fu, the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, as its head.

Jurong GRC, which has no “anchor” minister at the moment, is bounded by Yuhua, which was bounded by former top secretary Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s victory in a presidential election next year.

An anchor secretary is the de facto GRC group leader, according to Ms. Kasthuri from SUSS, whose presence serves to comfort citizens and orient new candidates.

There “might get a great opportunity” Yuhua gets subsumed into a new or existing GRC, said Dr Tan.

However, not all political boundaries are redrawn at every large.

In 2020, 12 districts were undisturbed, Institute of Policy Studies research brother Teo Kay Key noted. Seven of them were left alive in 2015 as also.

Hougang SMC and the opposition-held Aljunied GRC are among them.

According to Dr. Tan,” It is probably an unwritten rule that unless the opposition wards fall, there are certainly no other strong reasons to ( redraw boundaries there” ), adding that any change in the boundaries at these wards may be viewed as “politically motivated.”

Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing said in parliament earlier this month that the EBRC features freely, without direction or power from the state.

Mr Chan, who is also Education Minister, added that the Committee prioritises the interests of voters and not any political party, including the ruling People’s Action Party ( PAP ).

The senior civil servants that make up the EBRC also do n’t have any political allegiances and can fervently suggest boundary changes, he said.

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Drink driving accidents up, more deaths in first half of 2024

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ELDERLY PEDESTRIANS AND MOTORCYCLISTS&nbsp,

Accidents involving older pedestrians decreased by 22.1 percent, from 122 in the first third of 2023 to 95 in the same time this yr.

And there was a slight increase of 3.3 % in the number of motorcyclist-related injuries.

These two groups continue to be a “key problem,” according to the police, because they account for a significant amount of accidents that result in injuries or fatalities. &nbsp,

Yet though fewer&nbsp, older pedestrians died in injuries in the first quarter of 2024, this group also made up 42.9 per share of pedestrian casualties. Around 41 % of all pedestrian fatalities involving older people were caused by trespassing.

The authorities urged family and friends to remind the elderly no to walks, as well as continue to do so in its efforts to educate the old. &nbsp,

In comparison to the 1, 841 accidents in the same period last year, the number of motorcyclist-related accidents increased by 3.3 % to 1, 902 in the first half of 2024.

From 2,050 in the first quarter of 2023 to 2, 159 in the first quarter of 2024, drivers and scooter riders who were hurt in accidents increased by 5.3 %.

In the first quarter of 2024, motorcyclists and scooter riders were responsible for 61.6 percent of all traffic fatalities and 54.5 percent of all traffic accidents.

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‘Find your own path’: PM Wong shares his dream for Singapore youth, encourages more to contribute to society

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Singaporean youth should not feel pressured to take certain paths in their lives, according to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Saturday ( Aug 24 ).

” My desire for all of you is… for you to get your own way. Do n’t feel like you have to conform”, he said at the inaugural Youth Policy Forum, which around 1, 000 youths participated in. &nbsp,

” Excel, try and be the best that you can be in whatever you choose”, said Mr Wong, who is also Finance Minister. ” If you have that perspective, if you have that attitude, the govt will want to help you in whatever you are doing”.

The government wants to help young people develop and grow to be the best types of themselves, whether that remain in art, sports, study or enterprise, he said.

We want to encourage everyone to fight their rainbows, and we will praise you on every step of the way, he said.

Young people must also be able to put in the effort and contribute to society so that nothing can collapse into their lap.

” There may even be falls and failures along the way, but accept all of that – the losses, the problems. That just makes you stronger if you embraced it with all your might,” said Mr. Wong.

In the process of chasing their goals and realising their whole possible, but, the Prime Minister encouraged the children to think of other Singaporeans.

He said,” We only succeed when we succeed together as one people, so a part of achieving your dreams must be to help one another succeed.” &nbsp,

According to Mr. Wong, life should n’t revolve around “me, myself, and I” because otherwise, we wo n’t ever be content or happy.

” We will never be content if it’s all about me, me, me, because eventually, satisfaction comes through us serving a higher purpose and a greater calling”, he said.

The government wants to give young people more opportunities to make real, material efforts to causes they care deeply about, he continued.

Youth panel formed last year made preliminary recommendations for enhancing financial literacy, raising awareness of career opportunities in Southeast Asia, creating a safer online world, and improving recycling at the Youth Policy Forum.

The panel’s document tips, which will be submitted to government agencies by the end of the year, may be criticized in the community. In the first quarter of 2025, the state will follow up on the recommendations.

” We are very serious ( about considering the recommendations ), that’s why I’m here”, Mr Wong said at the forum, drawing laughter from the audience.

He said that the sections, which began their work in November and involved 120 boys, were just one way to get younger individuals involved in contributing to Singapore’s growth.

” We may think about future programs, options for you, and there will be many more”, he said. ” The point is, there will be a way for young people like yourselves to help, not just for your personal goals, not just for your unique desires, but to larger common life, to shaping the culture that we want to have in Singapore”.

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The Hema committee report slams Malayalam-language film industry

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Arun Chandra Bose/BBC A large group of women wearing black tops holds up placards during a protest on violence against womenArun Chandra Bose/BBC

One of India’s most well-known film centers has suffered from serious perish as a result of a groundbreaking study into the issues faced by ladies in the Malayalam-language movie industry.

The results of the three-member section are fairly damning.

The 290-page report claims that the industry is dominated by” a gang of strong people” and that” sexual abuse of women is widespread” and that parts of those whose identities have been redacted have been kept secret.

The Hema committee, which was led by a former Kerala High Court judge and was established by the state government in 2017, details the terrible operating conditions on units, including the lack of food and water for the talented artists, poor pay, and no facilities for housing or transportation.

” There are no restrooms, so people have to go in the trees or behind thick branches. It states that having to hold blood for a long time while wearing sanitary napkins during their times causes physical pain and makes them ill, with some patients needing hospitalization.

After nearly five years of delay and numerous legal challenges from people of the movie industry, the document, which was submitted to the state in December 2019, was simply made public this year.

The screen was established following the horrifying sexual abuse of a leading performer in the movie industry. Bhavana Menon, who has appeared in more than 80 pictures in southwestern Indian languages and has won numerous prestigious awards, was attacked by a group of people on a trip from Thrissur to Kochi in February 2017.

Her rape made articles, especially after Dileep, one of the Malayalam-language video industry’s biggest stars and Menon’s co-star in half a dozen pictures, was named as an accused and charged with criminal crime. He denied the accusations, but he was detained and held in custody for three weeks before being released on bail. The situation is still being heard in court.

Indian law bars identification of survivors of sexual assault, but it was known from the start that it was Ms Menon who had been assaulted. In 2022, she waived her anonymity in a post on Instagram and in an interview to the BBC.

Chief Minister's Department Members of the commission seen handing over a report tied up with pink ribbon to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi VijayanChief Minister’s Department

Ladies in Cinema Collective (WCC), a party formed by some of her colleagues in a film industry known for its range of powerful major and critically acclaimed films, petitioned the government a few months after the attack on Ms. Menon and demanded that the event be handled swiftly.

Retired Justice K Hema claims in the report that the WCC informed her that “women are being silenced because the prestige of the film industry needs to be upheld.”

The panel interviewed several dozen men and women, including artists, producers, directors, scriptwriters, cinematographers, hairstylists, makeup artists and costume designers, and “gathered evidence including video and audio clips and WhatsApp messages”.

The panellists saw evidence that” sexual harassment continues to be shockingly rampant” and that “it goes on unchecked and uncontrolled,” according to the report, which described sexual harassment as the “worst evil” women in cinema face.

The industry “is controlled by a group of male actors, producers, distributors, exhibitors and directors who have gained enormous fame and wealth” and they were among the perpetrators, it added.

Men in the industry make unwavering demands for sex as if it were their birthright. Women have little choice but to agree or disagree at the expense of their long-awaited dream of making cinema their career.

The experiences of many women are so shocking and significant that they have not even disclosed the details to their close relatives.

Many of the people the panel approached initially were reluctant to speak because they “feared they would lose their jobs.”

” In the beginning, we found their fear strange but as our study progressed we realised it was well-founded. Their safety and that of their close relatives worries us.

The report, the WCC says, has vindicated its stand”. We have been hearing for years that there is a systemic issue with the sector. One of the many examples is sexual harassment. This report proves it,” Beena Paul, an award-winning editor and one of the founding members of the WCC, told the BBC.

” We were always told that we were troublemakers]for raising such issues]. This report proves that it]the condition ] is far worse than what even we thought,” she said.

Arun Chandra Bose/BBC Women from the Mahila Congress sit in protest, holding up posters, demanding action on Hema panel report in Kochi on FridayArun Chandra Bose/BBC

Members of the WCC claim that since they started demanding better working conditions on movie sets, they have had trouble getting work. People do n’t like the fact that we are asking questions. So, quite a few members have faced difficult situations,” Ms Paul says.

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists ( AMMA ), a prestigious industry body that includes stars like Mohanlal and Mamooty among its members, refuted the accusations. Siddique, the organization’s general secretary, refuted the claim that a small, powerful group was in charge of the industry.

He added that the industry’s prevalence of sexual harassment was undisputed, and that the majority of complaints were brought on by workers ‘ delays or unpaid wages. He claimed that the conditions for women on movie sets had improved in the previous five years and that they had access to all amenities.

The report has sparked a wave in the state in the week that followed its release, with activists and prominent opposition figures calling for justice for those accused of wrongdoing.

The government would respond if any woman testifying before the committee came forward with a complaint, according to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. No matter how big they are, they will be brought before the law, “he said.

A petition for public interest was filed in the Kerala High Court on Thursday, asking for the initiation of criminal charges against the suspects in the report.

The judges said they would decide whether criminal action was necessary after they had read the report and that the government had been ordered to submit a copy.

Getty Images A wall plastered with Malayalam film posters like Oru Adaar Love Story and JuneGetty Images

The# MeToo movement hit India’s most well-known film industry in 2018, after Tanushree Duta accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of acting inappropriately toward her on a movie set in 2008. There are no new allegations of harassment and abuse in movies. Patekar denied the allegations.

The Hema committee report was “ineffective,” according to Ms Dutta, who has since claimed that she has been denied employment.

Parvathy Thiruvothu, an award-winning actress and a key member of the WCC, however, told Asianet news channel that she considered the release of the report” a victory”.

” It’s opened up a door for big changes within the industry,” she said.

Jeo Baby, director of The Great Indian Kitchen, a critically-acclaimed film that examines the patriarchal structure within the family, told the BBC that while gender issues remain a concern, change is under way in the industry”. This is the ideal moment to make changes. The film industry has to fight this together.”

The report states that its inquiry and recommendations are not to fault anyone, but rather that they are” an earnest attempt to ennoble a profession so that it becomes a viable career option for aspiring artists and technicians, both male and female,” and that they have made several recommendations to make the industry a safe place for women.

” Hopefully filmmaking will become so safe that parents can send their daughters and sons to the field with the same confidence and sense of security as they send their kids to an engineering school or college,” it continues.

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How Max Maeder’s parents Hwee Keng and Valentin first met almost 30 years ago

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BRINGING UP YOUR KIDS, BY THE BETWEEN OF YOU HAVE LEARNED A LOT OF ABOUT YOURSELF? &nbsp,

VALENTIN: &nbsp, ( Smiles ) She will say I am a great father … Husband… I’m not so sure ( laughs ).

HWEE KENG: He is extremely patient which is good for the kids. They owe a lot of their self-assurance to him.

MAX AND HIS Sisters, KARL AND VALENTIN JR, ARE HOMESCHOOLED. A Day HAVE YOU EVER DID YOU CHANGE YOUR PATH? &nbsp,

HWEE KENG: Unlike him]Valentin], I was always on the point of enrolling them into college and questioning if I did the right thing.

I faced a lot of challenges, especially when I was often asked by both sides, his household and me, to place my kids in a normal class.

Therefore, they actually gave it to me.

THAT MUST HAVE BEEN TOUGH. &nbsp,

HWEE KENG: &nbsp, If both me and him had doubts, we would n’t have gone ahead with homeschooling our kids.

I think it’s pretty standard when you do something other than agreement. Because there is no standard, you will always have questions.

All was uneasy, including myself, but I’ve learned that if you sit in pain for a while, as Max has said, you’ll shock yourself with what you can do.

VALENTIN: &nbsp, Every kid is different, and, in our case, we are lucky to see that they did n’t need much structure.

I did say training involves a lot of love and good illustrations, and that happens to a big amount, within the family.

WAS MAX AN EASY CHILD TO RAISE? &nbsp,

HWEE KENG: &nbsp, The easiest!

VALENTIN: &nbsp, We could n’t have asked for an easier time ( laughs ).

Just do n’t &nbsp, squeeze&nbsp, him. When he was about 15 month old, I attempted to force him to do something, which turned out to be very painful and painful. I realized from that point on that I would n’t try to force them to do something.

HWEE KENG: &nbsp, I think our kids enjoy their independence. You ca n’t make them do something they do n’t want to. Yet Max who is generally agreeable.

They have our body in them! ( Guffaws )

HWEE KENG, YOU MENTIONED MAX IS VERY KIASU]AFRAID OF LOSING OUT]. CAN THAT BE THE MOST Taiwanese Character? &nbsp,

HWEE KENG: &nbsp, You tell me! He has a strong sense of competition, and since he was a young child, he disliked the sense of losing.

You know what … he hates to lose, more than he likes to win ( laughs ).

It&nbsp, is&nbsp, kiasu. Not in the same manner as registering for a queue.

HOW ABOUT KARL, YOUR SECOND SON? &nbsp,

HWEE KENG: &nbsp, He is strongly independent! ( Laughs )

VALENTIN: &nbsp, Even at six months, he would n’t allow me to hold him if he did n’t want to.

I swear that his first words were,” Let me down”!

HWEE KENG: &nbsp, He likes to do his own things and you ca n’t cram his style.

I remember trying to beat him, and he went,” Mum, you do n’t need to beat me”. Then he ran]to experience ] the walls.

Again, when I attempted to switch him in the bathroom, I was terrified and went to the bathroom to open the door.

He merely said:” Mum, if you want to switch me]in], choose close the door”.

AT EVERY TURN, HE SURPRITES YOU. &nbsp,

HWEE KENG: &nbsp, He again asked,” You want to use the wood, you want to use the pulley. When did you product me like a cow next?”

VALENTIN: &nbsp, We realised immediately we did get much further with the sweet and loving method.

HWEE KENG: &nbsp, The softer you are with him, the better the benefits. &nbsp, The more you run after him, the more he runs ahead.

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Commentary: HDB resale market is so much more than just million-dollar transactions

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CALIBRATED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LOWER- AND MIDDLE-INCOME

While the LTV law is targeted at high-priced selling deals, the EHG is mean-tested. Only those with less than S$ 9, 000 on a typical regular income are given the grant, with more generous provides going to those with less resources.

The lower- and middle-income people could get up to S$ 120, 000 in EHG when buying BTO cottages straight from the HDB. They will receive a maximum grant of up to S$ 230, 000, depending on their average monthly household income, when buying a resale flat of the two- to four-room type, which includes S$ 120, 000 EHG, S$ 80, 000 CPF Housing Grant ( CHG), and S$ 30, 000 Proximity Housing Grant if they live with their parents.

Unlike the last boost in CHG from S$ 50, 000 to S$ 80, 000 in February 2023, which applies equally to all first-time people when buying selling flats, the EHG grants are linked to the earnings of buyers. The EHG increases could help lower- and middle-income families protect themselves from the LTV rule change’s economic effects.

For a typical medium-income household earning S$ 5, 000 per month and eyeing a BTO flat of S$ 500, 0000, the down payment would increase by S$ 25, 000 from S$ 100, 000 to S$ 125, 000 with the reduced LTV limit. However, it did get S$ 65, 000 under the fresh EHG, more than enough to compensate the increase in over payment. &nbsp, &nbsp,

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Commentary: Mpox is not the new COVID-19, but we must heed its lessons to prevent a global crisis

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The COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access ( COVAX ) Facility was established early during the pandemic to support more equitable distribution of vaccines to low- and middle-income countries. Singapore and Switzerland co-chaired an unofficial Friends of COVAX Facility initiative to promote vaccine globalism. The country was a first admirer of COVAX.

However, such attempts were undermined by vaccination nationalism from high-income places. Rich countries had access to an excess of vaccine doses at prices that were beyond the reach of lower- and middle-income nations, leading to unnecessary extra suffering and deaths.

However, COVAX’s novel global vaccine prescription payment system also exists, with the required expertise and experience at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Gavi has pledged to mobilize and deliver mpox vaccination doses to Africa.

The fact that the world is currently in a “last hour” during the previous mpox disaster can be seen as a failure.

After all, despite the PHEIC being lifted in May 2023 and the milder clade 2 mpox cases decreasing worldwide ( including in most African states ), a different situation was emerging in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since September 2023, the prevalence of pox has increased significantly, mostly as a result of the genus 1b virus.

Although national security and global health security are complicated, there is an increasing need for places to collaborate in the interests of protecting health with each main pandemic.

The World Health Assembly, the WHO’s governing figure, in June strengthened the International Health Regulations relating to international planning and public health emergency response. However, a strong international pandemic agreement is still necessary, which has, regrettably, been postponed until 2025.

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Our waters aren’t ‘boring’: Meet the disabled diver who photographs Singapore’s sea critters

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With 1, 900 people today, the Instagram page has also become a repository of information for experts.

” With more divers posting in the group, we get to … discover that some of the critters ( photographed ) can be new records for Singapore”, says environmental volunteer Toh Chay Hoon, 47, a group member who specialises in identifying sea slugs.

” New records” refer to biodiversity that has a recognized clinical brand but has never been seen in a specific region earlier.

The nudibranch Trapania scurra, which diving Lim Chee Ying photographed in March near Pulau Hantu, was one of the discoveries Toh helped discover. The new diversity report was later published in the journal, Nature in Singapore.

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