69 year old Singapore lady commits suicide due to financial distress
February 3, 2010 by admin
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Written by Our Correspondent
A 69 year old Singapore lady by the name of Li Mei Xiang committed suicide yesterday by jumping from the 13th level of her flat. The reason behind her suicide is believed financial distress.
She had been living in a 3-room HDB flat together with her husband and son before her death.
Her husband, a retired taxi-driver was diagnosed with colon cancer last year November and is currently undergoing treatment. Her 30 year old son has been unemployed for the last three months.
Madam Li used to work as a cleaner, but stopped work recently as a result of poor health.
Cases like such are not uncommon in Singapore. Lianhe Wanbao reported a 74 year old elderly lady who jumped from her flat a few months ago due to worries about her medical expenses.
There is a common saying among Singaporeans – “One can afford to die, but not fall sick in Singapore.”
Though the government claimed that public healthcare is “heavily subsidized” in Singapore, some Singaporeans still find it expensive.
A major or chronic illness can easily wipe out one’s savings. The Ministry of Health is considering increasing the Medisave contributions of Singaporeans.
Singaporeans are finding it harder to retire in Singapore in the face of rising cost of living. The ruling party has exhorted Singaporeans to work for as long as possible to support themselves.
While Singapore is the second richest nation in Asia after Japan and its two sovereign wealth funds can afford to lose billions of dollars in failed overseas investments, Singaporeans enjoy few social welfare benefits compared to other developed nations.
News source: Shin Min Daily
http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/0...dy-commits-suicide-due-to-financial-distress/
February 3, 2010 by admin
Filed under Headlines
Leave a comment
Written by Our Correspondent
A 69 year old Singapore lady by the name of Li Mei Xiang committed suicide yesterday by jumping from the 13th level of her flat. The reason behind her suicide is believed financial distress.
She had been living in a 3-room HDB flat together with her husband and son before her death.
Her husband, a retired taxi-driver was diagnosed with colon cancer last year November and is currently undergoing treatment. Her 30 year old son has been unemployed for the last three months.
Madam Li used to work as a cleaner, but stopped work recently as a result of poor health.
Cases like such are not uncommon in Singapore. Lianhe Wanbao reported a 74 year old elderly lady who jumped from her flat a few months ago due to worries about her medical expenses.
There is a common saying among Singaporeans – “One can afford to die, but not fall sick in Singapore.”
Though the government claimed that public healthcare is “heavily subsidized” in Singapore, some Singaporeans still find it expensive.
A major or chronic illness can easily wipe out one’s savings. The Ministry of Health is considering increasing the Medisave contributions of Singaporeans.
Singaporeans are finding it harder to retire in Singapore in the face of rising cost of living. The ruling party has exhorted Singaporeans to work for as long as possible to support themselves.
While Singapore is the second richest nation in Asia after Japan and its two sovereign wealth funds can afford to lose billions of dollars in failed overseas investments, Singaporeans enjoy few social welfare benefits compared to other developed nations.
News source: Shin Min Daily
http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/0...dy-commits-suicide-due-to-financial-distress/