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Thursday, August 28, 2014

Medical Costs & Survival

...health care has become health scare

It is not nice to fall sick; I suppose 'no one wants to fall sick' & to say 'staying healthy is the best way to keep health costs low' is speaking the obvious.

Instead of addressing and rectifying the shortcomings of things that were not done correctly, it was the usual 'the grass take time to grow', 'honest mistakes', 'pay more for better services', 'installing traffic light to show extent of crowdedness in MRT stations', 'at least the patients get warded & have spaces sleeping in tents and corridors'...

Are these naiveness or indifference?

How or why are health costs higher & climbing? The possibilities ;

1) increased in number of people (population, both local & foreigners) seeking medical attention but the number of doctors, trained allied healthcare personnel, nurses and infrastructure lack behind demand

2) unnecessary tests and procedures

3) excessive prescription of drugs

4) medical tourism in public hospitals

5) budgets for health care & support is lacking and inadequate

6) Where Govt &/or restructured hospitals and the health ministry is profit-centric (profit maximization)

The passing of health costs &/or the costs of medicine and treatment to the population is decidedly cruel. Why shouldn't the State cares for the sick and aged? These people have duly traded their youth in nation building and contributed to nation via taxes, done national defence (NS) and are committed Singaporeans. There is no doubt that sickness and diseases are blind and hit anyone even those who constantly remained upright, healthy and live a comparatively healthy lifestyle.

Will the Medishield Life helps? Maybe, but with a pre-planned excessive surplus and reserves in place, everyone will be burdened, save for those who can afford it. There must be an honest and sincere intent to help the sick, a deliberate attempt to lower health costs & a compassion to see that the well being of the populace is taken care of; passing the buck is NOT!

Am I ultruistic and unreal? No

I am speaking now that I can. I wouldn't want to be the last man speaking about my concerns when I am at deathbed.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Promise... Promises... Promised

everything is promising until delivered...

When I started working 30 years ago, my senior officer told me that everything is promising until delivered
I understand what he meant although I was a rookie then and everyone around me told me 'you are a promising youth'; then, I had only started work following my "O" Level
Further studies was out of question because my family was poor, very poor indeed
I knew that if I acquired a skill or a special knowledge, I will be of value to my employer & prospects
The world is, and shall be, mine to conquer

But, the reality is different; reality is always cruel
I wonder what our Ministers are barking at with :  'that ITEs, POLYs - without a degree, you can still succeed', 'that even with degrees you may not be able to put meals on the tables', 'there is no need for degrees'...
Since time memorial, the educated rules the less & un- educated
Since Confucius time, the poor scholars ace the Imperial Exams and return to shine
Our Civil Service, Military and related machineries are filled with scholars
Do you still NOT need a degree? Omigosh, tell that to your children

If you can study and you don't make good use of your mental capacity, it's your fault
If you are good in certain skills or areas, be the best - baker, chefs, actor, craftsmen
If you can't study but have acute business acumen, go start a business & prosper
Whatever it is, be the BEST

My billionaire business contact told me once "I am not educated but I employed all types; degrees, MBAs, PHds, alas...

In a Capitalist-Democratic society, the politician rules with the help of businessmen who grease the economy
One creates the rules while the other plays within the rules;  the workers provide the effort (work in exchange for income)

The businessmen lobby for favourable terms while the workers lobby for equitable compensation; the Politician is the arbiter

The politician promises that everyone will be equitably rewarded & cared for
The businessmen promised to share his fruits
The workers ...is still waiting for the promises.

Guess, everything is promising until delivered...

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Can You Challenge Destiny?

time changes everything...

After writing for so many years, this the first time that I did not pen anything in a month (July)
Murphy's Laws were on assault over this period of time; things go wrong, went wrong or were simply not right

My aged mum fell and injured again. Omigosh! simply 'cos her right leg didn't agree with her left leg
Rushed her to hospital, made necessary arrangements for her to be warded; when she's down, we get busy

I am the invincible but, at times, I was near breathless; willing but unable
The internet was down, the stockmarket was dead and the 'Buys' were down while the 'Sells' were up
My laptop hanged and I did (whatever) something and lost all my information and data

Some days ago MH17 was shot down over Ukraine and when I landed in Shanghai, another airplane drop in Taiwan in bad weather while yet another crash in Mali
How uncertain death called unannounced

I have matched businesses which were, and will be, consummated at the click of a finger
NO, it didn't happen this way; it was utter failure
Failures, failures and more failure

Am I in a hurry to succeed and to get things right? Maybe ...
I have worked hard, harder than anyone
Or, perhaps, I have been working hard but wasn't smart
Or, Lady Luck is deserting me, has deserted me ...or, ??? whatever


Is GOD testing me; if so, I would have failed...failed badly indeed
As my spirit is willing but my body is weak - defeat are real while victory are a 'feel'
This reminds me:
In my younger days, I was so, so, so very confident when I went for my driving test
Failed the first time...failed again the second time
By the third time, I was floored, unsure and no more confident but I PASSED

Can I challenge destiny? Or should I bid my time

Yes, anyone can challenge Providence but you must be prepared for defeats, defeats & more defeats when your time is not due
Like the butterfly; unless and until the wings are dry, you simply cannot fly

I wish I know; I guess I know



Life's Reality Can't Be Pawned

live best when others live worst... Be at peace with yourself The calm ocean has strong undercurrents The peaceful, picturesque & serene...