Alternative news in 1 day? (part 67) – Preferred to die because couldn’t afford healthcare?

February 24, 2014

I refer to the article “Some kidney patients refuse treatment and choose to die” (Straits Times, Feb 24).

Some patients choose to die?

It states that “But there are others who are forced to forgo dialysis because they cannot afford it, or because their families said no.

At the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), 24 patients suitable for dialysis declined the procedure in 2011.”

How many choose not to be treated?

If just one study on kidney patients alone found 24 who preferred not to receive – how many hundreds or even thousands of Singaporeans may have made or be struggling to make such decisions?

I was just talking to a person whose late father decided not to continue medical treatment for financial reasons – and then I read the above article.

Why do Singaporeans even have to think about preferring to die?

Over the last decade or so – in my volunteer work doing financial counselling – I have come across dozens of people and their families who had difficulties with paying their medical bills.

Whilst we have out perpetual debate about how affordable or unaffordable our healthcare system is – thousands of people may literally have died because of “money” – causing financial stress and perhaps a lifetime of regret and sad memories.

Tons of healthcare affordability issues?

I have written hundreds of articles and letters to the newspaper forum pages over the last 15 years or so.

Allow me to just cite some of my more recent articles (my 7 most recent ones) to give some indication as to the “affordability” issues in our healthcare system.

… “BUDGET 2014: THE GOVERNMENT STILL DOESN’T SPEND A SINGLE CENT (PART 2)“, Feb 24

… “Are public hospitals charged for land like HDB flats?“, Feb 24

… “BUDGET 2014: THE GOVERNMENT STILL DOESN’T SPEND A SINGLE CENT (PART 1)“, Feb 23

… “Part-time painter widowed with 3 children“, Feb 23

… “Analysis of some questionable points in budget 2014“, Feb 21

… “Video: Pre-budget Forum 2014: Leong Sze Hian, Singapore from a human touch perspective“, Feb 17

… “Pioneer generation package?“, Feb 12

Reflecting on what i have written over the last 15 years or so – it is indeed very sad.

Leong Sze Hian

SHARE TWEET PIN SHARE

About the Author

Leong
Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional  qualifications.