***in between the usual visitations*** Happy CNY!
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1253382/1/.html
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has acknowledged that the government could have done better in presenting the Population White Paper to the public.
.....
This year, the Prime Minister paid tribute to hospital staff in his traditional visit to essential services facilities, during the first day of the Lunar New Year.
The last time Mr Lee visited a hospital during Lunar New Year was some seven years ago at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.
Mr Lee said it's important to show appreciation to this group of workers who have worked hard and are under a lot of pressure to take care of patients.
His visit to Tan Tock Seng Hospital comes days after Parliament ended a week-long debate on the Population White Paper which was endorsed, after amendments.
Communication, Mr Lee said, could have been better.
He said: "We will be examining our experience with this White Paper very carefully to see how we can do better next time."
The White Paper had caused concerns among some Singaporeans when it was initially presented.
.....................
Mr Lee said: "It will take some time. It's a very emotional issue. Understandably, it's an issue which the views are very strong. It's also a very complicated issue.
"So I hope people will think about what has been spoken in Parliament, all the views which have been expressed and not only understand what this is about, and the intricacies, but also understand what we are trying to do is to try to help Singaporeans have a better life for the future in the best way possible.
........
He has also apologised for a mistake made in the footnote in the Population White Paper that described nurses as a low skilled worker. Mr Lee acknowledged that nurses are an important, highly skilled profession and he also shared his personal experience as a patient.
"It's unfortunate there was this mistake in the White Paper. DPM Teo Chee Hean has apologised . If I can, I should say I'm sorry that it happened too, because I know how important the nurses are in the hospital. When I was ill with lymphoma, I needed chemotherapy. It was a nurse, a specialist who administered the drugs for me because they are trained, they know all about it and they are critical to the whole system of highly skilled, highly professional," he said.
Apart from ushering in the Lunar New Year, Mr Lee also turns 61 on Sunday. When asked about his birthday wish, he said: "I hope there will be many more babies and children this year."
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- CNA/al/ck
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1253382/1/.html
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has acknowledged that the government could have done better in presenting the Population White Paper to the public.
.....
This year, the Prime Minister paid tribute to hospital staff in his traditional visit to essential services facilities, during the first day of the Lunar New Year.
The last time Mr Lee visited a hospital during Lunar New Year was some seven years ago at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.
Mr Lee said it's important to show appreciation to this group of workers who have worked hard and are under a lot of pressure to take care of patients.
His visit to Tan Tock Seng Hospital comes days after Parliament ended a week-long debate on the Population White Paper which was endorsed, after amendments.
Communication, Mr Lee said, could have been better.
He said: "We will be examining our experience with this White Paper very carefully to see how we can do better next time."
The White Paper had caused concerns among some Singaporeans when it was initially presented.
.....................
Mr Lee said: "It will take some time. It's a very emotional issue. Understandably, it's an issue which the views are very strong. It's also a very complicated issue.
"So I hope people will think about what has been spoken in Parliament, all the views which have been expressed and not only understand what this is about, and the intricacies, but also understand what we are trying to do is to try to help Singaporeans have a better life for the future in the best way possible.
........
He has also apologised for a mistake made in the footnote in the Population White Paper that described nurses as a low skilled worker. Mr Lee acknowledged that nurses are an important, highly skilled profession and he also shared his personal experience as a patient.
"It's unfortunate there was this mistake in the White Paper. DPM Teo Chee Hean has apologised . If I can, I should say I'm sorry that it happened too, because I know how important the nurses are in the hospital. When I was ill with lymphoma, I needed chemotherapy. It was a nurse, a specialist who administered the drugs for me because they are trained, they know all about it and they are critical to the whole system of highly skilled, highly professional," he said.
Apart from ushering in the Lunar New Year, Mr Lee also turns 61 on Sunday. When asked about his birthday wish, he said: "I hope there will be many more babies and children this year."
..................
- CNA/al/ck
