- Joined
- Jul 31, 2011
- Messages
- 4,448
- Points
- 113
Be more accountable to national servicemen with medical conditions
AS A national serviceman with a health worry, I am saddened and concerned by the latest fatal collapse of a full-time national serviceman ('NSF dies after collapsing during training exercise'; Wednesday).
I suffer from a condition called beta thalassemia inherited from my parents. My haemoglobin count is lower than an average person's, and overt physical activity will cause me shortness of breath. I have fainted many times because of my condition.
What concerns me is that when I viewed my medical docket, none of the numerous times I had lost consciousness and been evacuated to the medical centre had been recorded. No incident reports had been filed.
I recall that the medics who attended to me on these occasions noted that I suffered from heat stroke, physical exhaustion or dehydration, when what I really needed was oxygen.
I recently underwent a comprehensive health screening and submitted the report of my blood tests that attested to my condition, but I have had no response from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
I wish the SAF could be more transparent to national servicemen like me who suffer from a medical condition.
Brian Tan
I suffer from a condition called beta thalassemia inherited from my parents. My haemoglobin count is lower than an average person's, and overt physical activity will cause me shortness of breath. I have fainted many times because of my condition.
What concerns me is that when I viewed my medical docket, none of the numerous times I had lost consciousness and been evacuated to the medical centre had been recorded. No incident reports had been filed.
I recall that the medics who attended to me on these occasions noted that I suffered from heat stroke, physical exhaustion or dehydration, when what I really needed was oxygen.
I recently underwent a comprehensive health screening and submitted the report of my blood tests that attested to my condition, but I have had no response from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
I wish the SAF could be more transparent to national servicemen like me who suffer from a medical condition.
Brian Tan