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[Not in SG] Saw this on Straits Times. Bus driver was having a medical issue. Told the kids over the intercom that she will be pulling over but unfortunately passed out before she could do so. 13 year old kid senses something amiss and reacted swiftly to save all lives on the bus. News media from other countries type long paragraphs to sing praises of this kid. Singaporeans? "Zai." One word to describe the kiddo. 😂 Kid must have watched Keanu Reeves in the movie Speed while growing up. Super impressive.

I was diagnosed my blood has high platelet count five years ago and the condition has evolved to life-threatening level. High platelet makes the blood thick which can result in stroke or heart attack. My Bone marrow keeps producing excessive platelet. I have been on aspirin last five years for diluting the blood but there is no significant help. There is no medication can control bone marrow in platelet production (in reducing it). Normal platelet count is 150-450. My reading was 580 five years ago and risen to current 1001 last week. I have been seeing a Hematologist in SGH last five years, blood test on quarterly basis, one aspirin a day. i am told my condition is very rare. I am 53 y/o. my blood pressure and cholestrol level are normal. No diabetics. I know i have to look for alternatives and more opinions. i went to chong hwa toa payoh last night but there is no specialist there knows how to treat my condition. I was prescribed some medications and had 30-mins of acupuncture. i am looking for some real experience in treating high platelet count problem. my life is in danger. Please help to recommend / share anything you know including specialist / medication recommendation. I will be very grateful of it. THANK YOU.

Medical science has advanced alot if this is successful. This alleviate organ shortage. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/pig-heart-transplant-us-man-recovering-2426801

With this latest findings, I am going to continue wearing my surgical mask even after the pandemic have ended so that the food court / hawker stall / cashier auntie will call me 靓仔，帅哥，yan tau, yen eh... 😁 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/medical-surgical-face-mask-more-attractive-covid19-2434876 SINGAPORE: A study in the United Kingdom has found that men who wear medical masks are perceived as more attractive by members of the opposite sex. Researchers at Cardiff University's School of Psychology found that medical masks made for more attractive coverings than cloth masks and notebooks. The least attractive faces were completely uncovered. This was true whether the men were considered attractive or unattractive before the coverings were introduced, according to the study published in the journal Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications on Monday (Jan 10). The results ran counter to findings of similar research conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, said the authors of the study. A 2016 study in Japan found a "sanitary-mask effect" showing that people associated medical masks with disease, perceiving masked faces as less healthy and hence less attractive. "While medical masks might prime disease, they can also be seen as a sign of being responsible and caring citizens, which may positively impact perceived attractiveness," said the Cardiff University researchers. This was in line with other research conducted during the pandemic that "shows faces wearing medical masks are considered more likely to be ill, but also more socially desirable and trustworthy". THE EXPERIMENT Researchers at Cardiff University conducted their experiment in February 2021, about seven months after face masks were made compulsory in places like supermarkets and public transport in the UK. "Research carried out before the pandemic found medical face masks reduce attractiveness," said Dr Michael B Lewis, one of the study's authors, in an article on Cardiff University's website. "We wanted to test whether this had changed since face coverings became ubiquitous and understand whether the type of mask had any effect." Forty-three female psychology undergraduates were asked to rate 160 male faces for attractiveness on a scale of 1 to 7. These 160 stimuli consisted of 40 male faces in four variations: Full uncovered face, covered by a notebook, covered by a cloth mask and covered by a medical mask. The women were also asked whether they agreed that "face masks have become part of everyday life in the past year" and "the use of face masks is effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19". They showed high levels of agreement with the statements. THE FINDINGS Results showed that faces covered by medical masks were "significantly more attractive" than cloth masks. Faces covered in cloth masks were in turn "significantly more attractive" than uncovered faces. The advantage for covered faces was consistent with general findings that covering facial features increases attractiveness, regardless of which features are covered and the "base attractiveness" of the face, said the study's authors. But "there appears to be an advantage to medical masks beyond this", they added. "The advantage for a cloth mask can be attributed to the effect of occlusion, but the effect of the medical mask goes beyond just hiding undesirable features," the authors said. "It is possible that the additional advantage for medical masks comes from their associations with medical professionals." They added that this effect "may only be present during the COVID-19 pandemic". Dr Lewis said the research shows that the pandemic has "changed our psychology" in how mask-wearers are perceived. "When we see someone wearing a mask we no longer think, 'That person has a disease, I need to stay away,'" he said. "This relates to evolutionary psychology and why we select the partners we do. Disease and evidence of disease can play a big role in mate selection – previously any cues to disease would be a big turn off. "Now we can observe a shift in our psychology such that face masks are no longer acting as a contamination cue."

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Pharmaceuticals/Alzheimer-s-grand-slam-for-Biogen-and-Eisai-five-things-to-know?utm_campaign=RN Subscriber newsletter&utm_medium=daily newsletter&utm_source=NAR Newsletter&utm_content=article link&del_type=1&pub_date=20210608190000&seq_num=7&si=44594 Alzheimer's 'grand slam' for Biogen and Eisai: five things to know Treatment for dementia still faces financial and regulatory hurdles An estimated 6 million people in Japan are suffering dementia, or 17% of the senior population. Eisai filed for approval to use aducanumab in Japan in December. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and Kosaku Mimura) MITSURU OBE, Nikkei staff writerJune 8, 2021 18:15 JST TOKYO -- U.S. regulators' approval on Monday of aducanumab, an Alzheimer's treatment jointly developed by California-based Biogen and Tokyo-based Eisai, is potentially a life-changing moment for millions. This is the first time that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug designed to slow the progress of Alzheimer's in sufferers. Previous drugs targeting the disease have aimed only to alleviate symptoms. It has raised hopes that dementia, a pressing challenge in countries with aging populations, can better be dealt with. In Japan, an estimated 6 million people are suffering dementia, or 17% of the senior population. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, accounting for nearly 70% of cases. But approval of aducanumab has also been contentious. Is the treatment going to wipe out the disease? How does it work? Here are five things to know. How does aducanumab work? Alzheimer's is a disease that causes memory loss and makes it difficult to carry out daily activities or even to speak. The exact cause is unknown, but scientists believe that a protein called beta amyloid is a major cause. As amyloid increases in the brain, it starts forming fibers and then plaques, damaging nerve cells and causing them to die, according to Eisai. Aducanumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets amyloid, allowing the body to reduce it in the brain. The human body is capable of removing amyloid, but the ability declines with age, Eisai says. The drug is found to be effective especially when it is used for early-stage patients, according to Eisai, so it is important that the disease is detected early. Will it eliminate Alzheimer's? This is the big question. The FDA gave aducanumab an accelerated approval, meaning that Biogen will still need to prove the drug's effectiveness in a post-market study. This is because the results of the earlier trials were not as compelling as the drugmakers hoped them to be -- one of the reasons why approval for the drug was in doubt. Under the scheme, patients will be allowed to use the drug even though there is still residual uncertainty regarding its efficacy. The approval can be withdrawn if it fails to show its effectiveness in a post-market study. Price could also be a hurdle for broad adoption. Biogen said on Monday that the drug's list price would be $56,000 a year for an average U.S. patient. The high price tag is likely to limit the users of the drug to those who have an insurance policy that can cover such expensive drugs in the U.S. In Japan, the drug, if approved, would be covered by the national health care insurance. Given the tight fiscal situation of the Japanese government, access to the drug could be limited to those who are found to have a high level of amyloid, for instance, a drug analyst at a Japanese brokerage house said. For that, the patient needs to receive a brain scan, but such equipment is not widely available and receiving a test is expensive, the analyst said. But the analyst expects that demand for the drug will be "very strong." What has Eisai's role been? Eisai is a Japanese drugmaker founded in 1941. The current CEO, Haruo Naito, is a grandson of the founder and is known for strong leadership and a top-down management style. He has made Eisai focus on two areas, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. Under his leadership, Eisai has emerged as a strong developer of innovative drugs. The company has developed Aricept, a treatment of Alzheimer's disease symptoms. Eisai joined Biogen's project to develop aducanumab in 2014. Development was risky and analysts say Eisai would not have pursued such a project without Naito's personal commitment. How has the market reacted? The news of the U.S. approval took the market by surprise. Shares of Eisai ended up 19% on Tuesday, the biggest gainer on the Tokyo Stock Exchange's first section. In the U.S., shares in Biogen rose more than 50% at one stage and ended the day up 38% at their highest level in six years. The steep rises reflect the degree of uncertainty over whether the drug would receive U.S. approval. "It was like hitting a grand slam in the back of the ninth inning," the Japanese analyst said. What happens next? Attention will now center on further required regulatory approval for aducanumab in other markets, and on whether other drugs that use similar science can be developed. Eisai filed in December for separate approval in Japan. "We'd like to make the drug available to Japanese patients as soon as possible," a spokesperson said. Eisai is also developing, with Biogen, a similar treatment called lecanemab or BAN2401. Lecanemab is also used for removing amyloid at an early stage of Alzheimer's. The company plans to file for approval for lecanemab in the next fiscal year starting in April 2022.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/saf-review-pes-system-deployed-more-roles-servicemen-14305586 SAF to review PES medical classification system, paving the way for servicemen to be deployed in more roles SAF national servicemen maintenance work Full-time national servicemen carrying out maintenance work on Bionix parts. (Photo: Jeremy Long) By Aqil Haziq Mahmud 01 Mar 2021 01:33PM (Updated: 01 Mar 2021 01:40PM) Bookmark SINGAPORE: The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will review the use of the medical classification system and physical employment standards (PES) system so it can better deploy servicemen in more roles according to their abilities. Currently, servicemen are assigned a PES status based on their medical condition and this is one factor in determining their vocation during National Service (NS). For instance, servicemen with the highest status of PES A and B1 are suitable for combat vocations, while those with PES B2, B3 and B4 are suitable for some combat vocations and all combat support vocations. “The review will focus on the operational effectiveness of each individual, instead of the binary classification of whether one is combat-fit or non-combat-fit,” the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said in a factsheet on Monday (Mar 1). “Medical exclusions that used to limit deployments may no longer be relevant in today’s operating context or with the use of technology.” Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Monday that this "old system is outdated and retrogressive" for many roles in the next generation of the SAF. "Moving forward, the SAF will use an updated and refreshed medical classification system, which together with its PES system, will better match vocations and deployment of national servicemen," he added in his ministry's Committee of Supply speech. "The new system will also take into account their civilian jobs and skillsets." READ: As SAF vocations go high-tech, over 600 servicemen get deployed in previously ineligible roles With that in mind, MINDEF said the SAF will explore the use of functional assessments to determine servicemen’s deployability in specific vocations, such as for the selection of transport operators - a combat service support vocation. “The assessment replicates the physical demands required for daily operations, enabling the SAF to better match servicemen’s functional abilities to the role’s actual demands,” MINDEF said. If the trial is successful, Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How said on Monday it could be extended to other vocations like tank operators. The review comes amid falling national birth rates and a shrinking pool of national servicemen, with the SAF announcing as early as 2017 that it was reviewing vocation deployment criteria to tackle manpower challenges. In 2018, then-Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung revealed that the SAF had deployed more than 600 servicemen in vocations they were previously ineligible for, in areas like maintenance where the role of an automotive technician has evolved with technology. “The SAF is leveraging technology and redesigning jobs to be able to deploy servicemen of varying physical abilities in a wider range of operational roles,” MINDEF said on Monday. “This would enable a greater pool of national servicemen to be able to contribute in roles that they would not have been eligible for previously, maximising their contributions in NS without compromising operational effectiveness or safety.” PREP4NS TO BE EXTENDED TO MORE GYMS MINDEF also said on Monday that it is working with Sport Singapore to extend the Pre-Enlistees Exercise Programme for National Service (PREP4NS) to 24 ActiveSG gyms around Singapore, making it more convenient for pre-enlistees to improve their fitness. READ: NS pre-enlistees to get free SAFRA gym membership in November trial PREP4NS, which was launched in 2019 as a trial by MINDEF and SAFRA, provides eligible pre-enlistees with a complimentary one-year SAFRA Energy One gym membership. It aims to encourage pre-enlistees to improve their fitness ahead of their individual physical proficiency test (IPPT) and the physical demands of NS. About 5,000 pre-enlistees have been granted the PREP4NS membership since the launch of the trial, with more than 80 per cent having visited SAFRA gyms since mid-June last year, when Singapore moved into Phase 2 of reopening. “Almost all pre-enlistees who had provided feedback found the initiative useful in helping them meet their IPPT goals. Many also reported improvements in their IPPT scores,” MINDEF said. “It was observed that 33 per cent more pre-enlistees attained a gold after receiving their PREP4NS membership.” Registration for the ActiveSG gym membership will be announced later this year. EXPERTISE DEPLOYMENT OF NSMEN Moving on to operationally ready national servicemen (NSmen), MINDEF said that it would increase the areas that NSmen with specialised civilian expertise can be deployed to. MINDEF will also set up a dedicated deployment centre within the SAF to oversee the expansion of this expertise deployment. READ: Improving NS experience: New NS Hub brings together pre-enlistment medical, IPPT, e-Mart It had announced in 2019 that NSmen with specialised civilian expertise can be deployed to new roles that require such skills under the Expertise Conversion Scheme. Previously, NSmen had to complete the full 10-year training cycle before converting to a role that allows them to use their civilian expertise. “MINDEF/SAF will continue to build on this scheme and systematically expand opportunities to deploy NSmen with relevant civilian expertise,” it said on Monday. “This will serve to maximise the contributions of NSmen and support the SAF’s operational requirements.” (Infographic: MINDEF) MINDEF also announced that it is making it easier for eligible NSmen to attend the Health Screening Programme (HSP), which ensures they are healthy enough to safely participate in strenuous activities during in-camp training. The HSP is for NSmen aged 35 and above who are IPPT-eligible, and previously had to be completed over two visits to a medical centre in camp. Since October 2020, MINDEF said it has streamlined the HSP such that most NSmen can complete it in a single session instead of two. It will also set up a HSP centre in the Military Medicine Institute at Kent Ridge by mid-2021 to provide NSmen with an alternate and more central location. “NSmen can also expect shorter booking and waiting times for their HSP appointments,” it said. Moving forward, MINDEF said the SAF is exploring additional ways to provide NSmen with more convenience and flexibility for NS fitness activities, to motivate them to keep an active lifestyle and ensure that they remain operationally ready. “More details on these initiatives will be announced in due course,” it added. Source: CNA/hz(ta)

esp from medical field members. Any risk if bringing old folks on the Singapore Flyers? I have some ppl who have reservation, reason heart attack.

i was diagnosed with high blood pressure about 6 years ago and have been on meds. (one pill a day). bought a GE hospital policy b4 my disgnosis and when i got warded for another issue, the co-payment thing applied. then my GE agent approached me and asked me to upgrade to their "100%" claim plan ... but required me to undergo medical tests which i have to pay for myself and not guarantee will accept my enrolment. so i refused to go for the med check and they rejected the proposal. then my AIA agent came to see me one day and told me about their 100% claim plan and then filled up the proposal and told me will get back to me. Called me up the next day and told me that his office told him that NOBODY will cover me becoz of my HBP. talked to an Aviva rep also ... and she also told me roughly the same thing ... pay more and and with exclusion. best one was got a cold-call from another AIA agent about 2 months back ... said will try to see what he can do .... never heard from him again after i told him i got HBP. so far have not had any sickness due to my HBP but it seems that insurance cos are very prudent nowadays with their selection of customers. any ins cos out there willing to cover me ??

This guy must have true grit. Wow. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/from-ite-to-nus-secondary-school-dropout-gets-into-medical-school

what is the repercussion of producing fake MC and the legal implications that it would lead to. Thanks for the heads up in advance.

Ok guys, I know there are some docs in this forum so I need some advice. I have a old back issue which gives me leg pain. So I went to see a specialist in Jan this year in a public hospital. I asked the doc to see if it could be peripheral arterial issue and he said is very unlikely but an ultrasound will clear it up. He set up an ultrasound in Feb and followup appt in April. So i went for the ultrasound and the guy doing it verbally said everything looks ok and I will get my report through the doctor. Fast forward to April, my back is improving so I decided to cancel the followup appt and just want my ultrasound results. I called hospital and they refused to release the scan result (which I paid for) to me without me fixing an appt with the doctor. First thing I found out was, no doctor annotated on the results for over two months.... so if the scan showed something wrong, I bet treatment will be delayed for 2 months. Is this legal? Can't I change doctor and obtain the scan result and see my own doctor outside? Is there anything I can do to convince them to give me my scan results without setting up another appt.

I am thinking with all these legislations, medical displinary councils, and all the money spent, won’t it be more efficient to create a body to track the outcomes of the patients of various Doctors? It is a step towards a value based healthcare where pay is linked directly to patient outcome but that is hard to do. One of the problems is that patients does not know who are the good Doctors. The government can set up an independent body to survey patients and track outcomes. Apply a consistent metric and make the information publicly available. It’s like word of mouth but regulated and much more reliable. It is also safer for Doctors as your practise is unlikely to be destroyed by one bad patient assuming u have lots of glowing reviews from other patients. Of course u have to start thinking about whether your patient will be happy after the treatment as now there is a stronger impact...

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/4000-sign-petition-over-singapore-medical-council-ruling What do you guys think of this recent case? If doctors are to run through a series of possible side effects and risks, do you really understand? Right now, you simply has to sign a document before any procedure. Do you really read and say, no I better not go through this or you just have no other alternative. Is there a better way to address this and ensure doctors ensure they discharge their duties in the best interest of their patients.

Hi guys. Need some advice . Father in law got blockage. May need bypass or balloning . Private specialist v ex. What are the options available ? Pioneer gen got cover? 1. Go polyclinic for referral then go govt hosp? How long would the process take? 2. Go a&e say heart pain. Got subsidy ? Tks Haizi

hey guys was just wondering.... if i take mc (report sick outside), can i travel overseas? i work 8-5. so technically my mc will cover me till 5 only... does that mean i can fly if my flight's timing is after 5? hope to get some advice... ps: helping a friend to ask cheers!

Source from http://news.xin.msn.com/zh/singapore/artic...umentid=4436687 IVF strict screening procedures to avoid error A Caucasian man and his Chinese wife , through IVF birth to a child, but found that the child's skin color and their different. DNA tests also showed that the child's DNA does not match with the Caucasian father. This means that hospitals may be used during the other man's sperm and egg to combine. The couple had asked Thomson Medical Hospital to give them accountable, and has sought legal advice to the lawyers. Solicitor, said acceptance of the station asked the couple by the trauma, pain shock. They are also most concerned about the health and welfare of children, do not know whether he has a genetic disease. The couple now want to know the truth, how could this mistake happen, when, who should be responsible? Thomson Medical Hospital , said the desk for the time being no comment. According to the station learned that the Ministry of Health requires all hospitals, during in vitro fertilization, to ensure that gametes from the right parents. However, concrete steps to develop the individual hospitals. Provided in the local hospital, another in vitro fertilization fertility specialist Raffles Medical Center said that by labeling and strict inspection procedures to ensure that errors do not occur. Raffles Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist consultant Dr. Xu Jinhui, said: "They take the sperm from Mr. patients to us when we will talk to his control, to determine their names, ID numbers are correct. They get to our laboratory test-tube Every time when we have two people each process to determine the right. " Better to consider in vitro fertilization couples, as heard amusing incident to worry about. Raffles Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology specialist consultant Dr Lu Jia Italy, said: "The first reaction is of concern, in fact, very afraid. Have been better this morning, asking me questions." The hospital's regular process to embryo implantation in the uterus back to the patient before the patient through the screens to watch the preparation process of the embryo, and to check the above name is not his own, which makes the patient more at ease

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/feb/25/first-full-body-transplant-two-years-away-surgeon-claim In 2 years? Keep that ventilator running!

Anyone knows what are the difference of a private medical insurance (paid with cash) vs a medishield private integrated plan which allows you to pay via medisave. I understand that you can add a rider(pay cash) to the medishield one to take care of the deductible and co-insurance. so in that case then there is no difference to the pure private vs the medishield private plans? or is there a catch somewhere? because it seems that the medishield private plans offer a better deal for the same type of benefits.

Anybody tried the Flexiseq gel? Is it effective? Saw a lot of advertising and reviews seemed good.

Now i know why they say can die but not fall sick in SG. Asiaone

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/no-docs-at-7-family-clinics-of-troubled-healthway-group?xtor=CS3-20 Sinking ship... Anchor doctors not turning up for work already due to not being paid.

Was hunting for travel insurance and came across NTUC's Enhanced PreX plans which cover pre-existing medical conditions. BTW, I'm not an agent, just sharing.. http://www.income.com.sg/forms/brochure/travel.aspx?ext=.pdf

Hi, need some advice here. My father in law saw a doctor at TTSH recently and doctor suspected he has a tumour. Doc arranged for a biopsy in Sep. My wife didn't accompany him to the doc so she doesn't know what exactly the doctor said. She called the hospital but they said they can't reveal patient's info. So now my wife wants to know how serious this is and isn't comfortable waiting for another 2 months for a biopsy. What options does she have? How can she get more information from the TTSH doc? If go to private, will it be very fast to do a biopsy? What private clinics can she go? Mount E or Raffles medical all seem very expensive.

Dear Folks, Got a question. I have recently been offered a position but as usual, need to clear the the pre-employment checkups. I would like to know how stringent are these checkups usually? I have been experiencing heel pain for quite sometime (recently), have not seen a doctor but someone told me it might be gout (hearsay). In the event if I really have gout (or even mild-high blood pressure), will it affect my chance of employment? I am getting rather paranoid as age is not on my side already