- Joined
- Jul 24, 2008
- Messages
- 33,627
- Points
- 0
[h=2]Pte Lee’s family: We want to pursue further against SAF[/h]
August 31st, 2013 |
Author: Editorial
NSF Private Dominique Sarron Lee died on 17 Apr 2012
during training exercise.
A coroner’s inquiry today (30 Aug) has determined that NSF Private Dominique
Sarron Lee died from an acute allergic reaction to inhaling zinc chloride fumes
and not from an asthma attack.
Pte Lee died on 17 Apr last year after suffering breathing difficulties
during a platoon exercise at Murai Urban Training Facility in Lim Chu Kang,
where smoke grenades were used (‘Another
NS man dies during training‘).
Shortly he came out of the building, he lost consciousness and a SAF medic
attended to him immediately. Private Lee was then sent to Sungei Gedong Medical
Centre before being sent to the National University Hospital (NUH). A SAF doctor
continued to resuscitate him in the ambulance en route to the hospital. He was
pronounced dead at NUH.
Pte Lee had declared during his pre-enlistment screening that he had a
history of asthma but was considered fit for military training, as his last
reported asthma attack was more than three years before his enlistment.
The coroner, however, noted that Pte Lee had underplayed his condition during
a pre-enlistment medical checkup. He in fact, had suffered an asthma attack 3
months before the checkup and had seen a GP about it.
Pte Lee’s family contended that his medical records should have been reviewed
by SAF and additional tests should have been conducted. But the coroner said
patients must bring up relevant information for medical screenings to be
effective, pointing out that it is “hard to accept” that doctors have to conduct
further screenings for every enlistee.
The coroner also said the platoon commander who threw the smoke grenades
could not have predicted Pte Lee’s allergic reaction, although there was more
smoke than necessary during the exercise. The coroner also noted that other
recruits who suffered from asthma did not report any adverse outcome from the
exercise.
Pte Lee’s family said it is difficult for them to accept the coroner’s
findings as they feel it is based on a one-sided testimony and they are
considering further legal action. Pte Lee’s mother, Madam Felicia Seah, appeared
distraught after the findings were delivered.
Sean Seah, Pte Lee’s uncle, said, “We definitely want to pursue further; we
want SAF to answer our concerns. And because we have many unanswered question,
what we want SAF to show us is that they are really putting in measures to
ensure that the safety of all NSmen in future is taken care of.”
On 14 May last year, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen told Parliament that over
the many years, many NS men with asthma have gone through military training
“without adverse effects”
Dr Ng acknowledged that one in five NS men has asthma but it’s usually mild.
Dr Ng said that most are mild enough to be considered combat-fit.
He said, “Around 20 per cent of our servicemen are found to have some form of
asthma, of which (the) majority are mild. Many of them have been put through
training without adverse effects.”
But he also gave the assurance that SAF medics are trained and equipped to
handle any asthma attacks, such as using inhalers or providing supplemental
oxygen.
He also assured the House that SAF regularly reviewed its medical screening
procedures, to ensure they keep up with “international and national clinical
practices”.
NSF Private Dominique Sarron Lee died on 17 Apr 2012
during training exercise.
A coroner’s inquiry today (30 Aug) has determined that NSF Private Dominique
Sarron Lee died from an acute allergic reaction to inhaling zinc chloride fumes
and not from an asthma attack.
Pte Lee died on 17 Apr last year after suffering breathing difficulties
during a platoon exercise at Murai Urban Training Facility in Lim Chu Kang,
where smoke grenades were used (‘Another
NS man dies during training‘).
Shortly he came out of the building, he lost consciousness and a SAF medic
attended to him immediately. Private Lee was then sent to Sungei Gedong Medical
Centre before being sent to the National University Hospital (NUH). A SAF doctor
continued to resuscitate him in the ambulance en route to the hospital. He was
pronounced dead at NUH.
Pte Lee had declared during his pre-enlistment screening that he had a
history of asthma but was considered fit for military training, as his last
reported asthma attack was more than three years before his enlistment.
The coroner, however, noted that Pte Lee had underplayed his condition during
a pre-enlistment medical checkup. He in fact, had suffered an asthma attack 3
months before the checkup and had seen a GP about it.
Pte Lee’s family contended that his medical records should have been reviewed
by SAF and additional tests should have been conducted. But the coroner said
patients must bring up relevant information for medical screenings to be
effective, pointing out that it is “hard to accept” that doctors have to conduct
further screenings for every enlistee.
The coroner also said the platoon commander who threw the smoke grenades
could not have predicted Pte Lee’s allergic reaction, although there was more
smoke than necessary during the exercise. The coroner also noted that other
recruits who suffered from asthma did not report any adverse outcome from the
exercise.
Pte Lee’s family said it is difficult for them to accept the coroner’s
findings as they feel it is based on a one-sided testimony and they are
considering further legal action. Pte Lee’s mother, Madam Felicia Seah, appeared
distraught after the findings were delivered.
Sean Seah, Pte Lee’s uncle, said, “We definitely want to pursue further; we
want SAF to answer our concerns. And because we have many unanswered question,
what we want SAF to show us is that they are really putting in measures to
ensure that the safety of all NSmen in future is taken care of.”
On 14 May last year, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen told Parliament that over
the many years, many NS men with asthma have gone through military training
“without adverse effects”
Dr Ng acknowledged that one in five NS men has asthma but it’s usually mild.
Dr Ng said that most are mild enough to be considered combat-fit.
He said, “Around 20 per cent of our servicemen are found to have some form of
asthma, of which (the) majority are mild. Many of them have been put through
training without adverse effects.”
But he also gave the assurance that SAF medics are trained and equipped to
handle any asthma attacks, such as using inhalers or providing supplemental
oxygen.
He also assured the House that SAF regularly reviewed its medical screening
procedures, to ensure they keep up with “international and national clinical
practices”.
