Weaknesses of Singapore Healthcare

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/11/a-senior-citizen-asks-why-should-i-seek-help-now/

Summary
Mdm Perumal lives in a rental flat in Singapore, and earns a salary of $400 a month working as a part-time cleaner. Recently, she went to see a doctor as she experienced a severe flu. When diagnosed, it was found that her heartbeat was irregular and there was a white spot near her heart. All in all, she was recommended to have a CT-scan that cost $150. Obviously, Mdm Perumal could not afford this fee and hence, was unable to carry out the procedure. She complained, after paying for the consultation fees at the polyclinic, chest X-ray, medicine, and consultation at the specialist clinic, the total fees ate almost half her monthly salary. It was impossible for her to afford the additional fees. In addition, she was unable to use her funds in Medisave to subsidize her bills for the scan because of the fact it was going to be carried out in a specialist clinic.

Commentary
This case involving Mdm Perumal is a classic example of how there is still a small segment of the Singaporean society that does not fully benefit from the measures introduced by the government. There is still a small group of these people who fall through the nets despite efforts of the government to introduce self-reliance in Singapore. Many Singaporeans still cannot afford healthcare services in Singapore, despite the government imposing various subsidies to help ease the burden of the lower-income group in Singapore. Their meager salary does not allow them to afford the more expensive healthcare services offered, and even the low fees charged in polyclinics are too expensive. In addition, she was also unable to use her Medisave (which amounted to $8000) to pay for the scan as she planned to do it in a specialist hospital as an outpatient. That shows how the Medisave only subsidizes hospital fees in certain clinics or hospitals, and hence does not totally look after the welfare of Singaporeans. On the other hand, she was unable to get subsidies through measures such as Medifund because they only account for the more serious operations.
All in all, the article shows how there is a minority of Singaporeans who earn a low income and hence are unable to afford healthcare in Singapore despite the measures implemented by the government.