Thursday, November 30, 2023
人到了晚年-如果能自理-千万别做这几样糊涂事 （辉姐的退休生活）
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人到了晚年，如果能自理，千万别做这几样糊涂事，否则你会被子女嫌弃。
第一，别期望子女的陪伴，要有自己的社交圈子。
第二，自己要有养老钱，千万别伸手问子女要。
第三，不能要求子女言听计从，成年人有自己的思维和处理事情的方式，别去左右。
第四，即使剩一个人了，也要独居，跟子女保持距离，一个屋檐会让子女不舒服。
第五，子女需要我们就出现，不需要就及时退出，千万别管闲事，装聋作哑。
第六，必须讲究卫生，干净利落，养成良好的卫生习惯，否则谁都会嫌弃。
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智勇双全钢琴HT
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说的很对，支持点赞。
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秋霞飘飘
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多爱自己，少管闲事
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美好生活970320
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每一条都在理
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社论：人工智能的挑战与机会https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/editorial/story20231130-1453133
社论：人工智能的挑战与机会
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/editorial/story20231130-1453133
2023-11-30
美国加州科技公司OpenAI首席执行官奥尔特曼最近被开除后旋又复职的戏剧性新闻，既不一般，也反映了持续演进中的人工智能（AI）对今后世界所将带来的深刻影响。
根据OpenAI公司传出的信息，事关奥尔特曼一味追究技术突破的工作风格，与其他董事考虑到兼顾社会责任之间的矛盾，这也恰是当前世界必须正视的巨大问题。例如，对缺乏技术能力的绝大多数发展中国家来说，AI所可能带来的生产链与就业机会被削弱甚至掏空的长期困境，将是前所未有的，一旦大幅推进，发达国家能利用AI广泛地重新发展各种制造业，不必再依赖廉价劳动力。
AI所带来的挑战，还不仅仅是在政治和经济层面，职场被颠覆、工作被夺走、贫富差距被拉大。OpenAI公司内部的纷争说明，发达国家政府和专业领域至今没有对AI的研发与使用达成监管共识，危害可能因此超出人们想象。
在法律监管方面，今年4月，包括世界首富马斯克在内的世界数以千计专家公开呼吁暂停进一步研究六个月，正是基于现在还无法预判AI技术反噬人类的潜在威胁，显见问题紧迫，但国际社会（重点是业界）仍不能凝聚共识。关键是AI课题高度复杂，在监管方面不能排除技术精英的专业意见，也必须兼顾投资人在利润与社会责任方面的生态平衡。
虽然，国际组织包括欧盟以及中国和美国等主要国家，目前都积极开展监管的制度建设工作，新加坡也贴近最新动态。不久前中美元首在旧金山的会面，便特地提到AI课题，显见其重要性。但立法必须掌握最新技术进展，这方面连业内精英也直言难以完全了解AI演算逻辑，因此政府必须保持清醒，国际知识界也要注意，避免先进技术领域出现公德意识不良、违背科研伦理，或存心破坏国际秩序与国际法的个人和组织，适时制止可能危害全人类的情况。
这是人类在应对AI所可能带来的挑战层面，涉及的问题主要是能不能在研发进程、应用和监管方面，尽快达成共识，开展有效有序的新阶段。另一个可能更棘手的层面是，AI是否会在发展过程中，自我演进出超越发明者所能控制的自我意识，这是连业内科学家都不敢断然否认，却最令人细思极恐的。1942年，著名科幻小说家阿西莫夫在短篇小说《环舞》（Runaround）中，首次提出针对机器人的三条定律：一是机器人不得伤害人类，或坐视人类受伤害；二是机器人必须服从人类命令，除非命令与第一法则发生冲突；三是在不违背第一或第二法则之下，机器人可以保护自己。但80年前小说家所能想象的机器人，终究是实体硬件系统，AI却涉及大量深度和快速自我学习能力与软件算法。目前科技界谈论中的GPT-5，据说就接近真人或具备超智慧。
因此，人类在快马加鞭研发AI之际，若不能如阿西莫夫制作定律般刻不容缓地凝聚共识，不排除可能遭遇反噬，危及人类福祉，包括野心家、恐怖组织甚至只是一小撮极聪明的科技专才，一旦没有底线地加以滥用，例如今天已经出现的深伪等破坏性技术，就可能在政治、经济乃至社会层面造成巨大伤害。如果结合黑客技术，深入军事层面，后果更是不可想象。
然而，科技进步总是伴随风险，而且因为缺乏国际共识，没有国家会主动暂停研究，让他国迎头赶上。虽然AI的不可测因素似乎比过往的机器发展更大，但无须因噎废食，只要及时做出调整，人类在很多领域将看到跨越式的正面发展。这包括经济上的生产力和效率大幅提升，必须改变的是如新加坡近年努力宣导的终身学习以及改变观念等，只要能学习应用AI技术，便有助于降低对职场的冲击。AI对社会生活、健康、交通、教育等方面的好处，都值得期待，但国家必须培养足够专业人才，掌控技术。
AI是不可逆的文明演进方向，每个国家都必须积极应对。重要的是，AI的发展是文明的一大步，人类文化可以多元，但这方面的技术鸿沟不应该持续扩大，乃至因缺乏共识而导致一些弱势国家与人民受伤害。
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
中国台湾省： 赵少康挑战赖清德废除台独党纲
赵少康挑战赖清德废除台独党纲
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20231128-1452963
2023-11-28
昔日“政治金童”、国民党副总统候选人赵少康临危受命参战，让侯康配民调直追赖萧配。他连日来密集受访，挑战外号“台独金孙”的民进党总统候选人赖清德，作为民进党主席，敢不敢废掉台独党纲？
73岁的赵少康当过台湾大学农机工程系副教授，曾以创纪录高票连任三届立委，是台湾公认的政治金童。1994年他参选台北市长落败后退出政坛，转战媒体后以主持政论节目《新闻骇客》、《少康战情室》等闻名。
64岁的赖清德自称“务实台独工作者”，被不少台独大佬视为台独金孙。不过，他8月受访时拒绝这个标签，称台湾只有政治金童，没有台独金孙。
台湾将在六周后、明年1月13日举行总统与立委选举投票。上周在野“蓝白合”破局后，赵少康临危受邀当国民党总统候选人侯友宜的副手，组成“侯康配”，被视为意外的好牌，吸引蓝营支持者归队。
国民党士气大振，民调支持度迅速追上民进党正副总统候选人赖清德与萧美琴的“赖萧配”，在几份民调中，双方差距已进入抽样误差范围内，等同打成平手。
从星期一（11月27日）到星期三（11月29日），赵少康密集接受包括《联合报》在内的六场媒体专访、两场联访，左右开弓，质疑赖清德2017年曾以行政院长身份，在立法院宣示他是“主张台湾独立的政治工作者，不管担任哪个职务都不会改变”，如今又否认自己是台独金孙。赵少康还挑战赖清德，既然已作为民进党主席，敢不敢废掉台独党纲？
赵少康狠批，民进党以反中和仇中骗选票，让台湾陷入兵凶战危，赖清德不承认一中，但那是中国大陆最在意的事，“嘴巴讲没有惹大陆，实际上都在惹大陆”，“有种一点，就中止《海峡两岸经济合作架构协议》（ECFA），自力更生”。他认为，民进党老是搞抗中保台，老狗玩不出新把戏，“讲来讲去不烦吗？我都听烦了”。
不少评论指出，赵少康为侯康配带来一股久违的自信。赵少康也形容“蓝营的气回来了”，自评胜选概率过半，只盼中美别介入选举，让台湾人选择自己的未来。
面对国民党缺乏年轻支持者的软肋，赵少康星期二（11月28日）宣布，为了争取年轻选票，他愿安排到五所大学与学生对话，让他们“问到饱”，绝不回避任何问题，也可借此聆听年轻人心声。
知台派日本学者小笠原欣幸星期一（11月27日）撰文点评，国民党选择赵少康是不错的战略，因他论述能力极强，能弥补侯友宜在言辞表现力的不足。加上战力强的不分区立委候选人韩国瑜，有助巩固阵营并采取积极攻势。
他也指出，在野党提出的“下架民进党”口号已逐渐在中间选民中扩散，批评民进党政府腐败、缺乏效率，主张他们已执政八年，该是时候政党轮替的说法，都已深植人心。这对民进党来说，无疑是一个须要谨慎面对的挑战。
吴俊刚 - 脱贫无捷径
吴俊刚 - 脱贫无捷径
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/views/story20231129-1452874
2023-11-29
吴俊刚
一代人大约就是20年到25年的时间，也即一个人从入学到大专毕业进入职场所需的时间。这也是多数新加坡家庭走过的脱贫之路，其中，起关键作用的始终是孩子的教育。
最近，《联合早报》和《海峡时报》分别报道了两个低收入贫困家庭的例子。他们和其他约1万4000户有孩子的租赁组屋家庭，在社区联系站（ComLink）计划下获得政府的特别援助。
社区联系站计划始于2019年，针对的是育有21岁以下子女的租赁组屋家庭，为他们提供全面援助。不久前，当局宣布，从明年下半年起，将逐步落实四个提升版社区联系站（ComLink+）援助配套，涵盖就业、存钱购屋、减轻债务，以及学前教育。低收入家庭如果积极存钱购屋和努力维持稳定就业，按计划可获得最多3万元的公积金填补和现金补贴，进一步加强这些家庭的提升能力。计划也将协助弱势家庭减轻债务，以及鼓励这些家庭让孩子最迟三岁开始接受学前教育。
虽然我国已跻身第一世界，但和所有发达国家一样，仍有低收入贫困阶层需要特别的帮助。不同国家有不同做法，而不管怎么做，大概都不可能解决所有低收入者和低收入家庭的问题。不管采取怎样的方法，也总会有不同意见，比如帮助弱势家庭减轻债务的做法，就引起一些訾议。不过，这方面的援助看来条件是很严格的。它并不包括协助偿还拖欠亲友或大耳窿的债款。可获得这项债务资助的家庭预计也只有240户，而且是一次性的，最多为5000元。主要是帮助他们偿还所欠的水电费和租金之类。
我国一路来强调自力更生的精神，因此，不可能会走向福利主义的歧路。但尽力帮助需要帮助的人，是一个包容性社会必须做的事情。这就是给可能做错事、遭逢不幸意外，或因种种原因跌倒或掉队的人，有个翻身的机会。
此外，政府也注意到社会上已出现令人担忧的新现象。副总理黄循财今年10月19日在在牛车水民众俱乐部举办的社会服务中心10周年庆祝活动上致辞时就指出，有早期迹象显示，社会分层化在本地有越加根深蒂固的现象。过去，租赁组屋住户主要是年长者，但如今有越来越多有年幼孩子的家庭，而且他们居住租赁单位的时间也越来越长。因此，政府已在研究这个令人关注的现象，并且向社工等多个群体征询意见，探讨如何在尊重低收入家庭的尊严和自主权的情况下，更好地赋予他们能力，协助这一群体改善生活。
《联合早报》报道的例子，主角是自多年前欠下赌球债务的陈思明（62岁），他每个月都得从打临时工赚取的微薄收入中，拨出一笔钱偿还欠款。他与越南籍妻子（39岁）育有四名五个月至10岁的孩子，一家住在二房式租赁组屋。他目前靠打零工，包括载送家具和驾驶私召车维生，每月收入约600元，妻子则当钟点清洁工。《海峡时报》报道的例子，主角姓柯，59岁，保安公司执法人员，每月工资1430元，妻子是来自印度尼西亚的永久居民，37岁，无业。两人育有三名女儿，分别为四岁至六岁。
像这样的家庭，确实难以很好地照顾孩子的教育，只有给予必要帮助，才能为他们带来转机。获得ComLink计划援助的1万多个家庭，也许各有不同的难念的经，但共同点是家庭收入低，家长一般来说教育和技能水平也不高，每月家庭收入都在2000元以下，根本无法应付一家数口的日常开销。生长在这些家庭的孩子所面对的最大问题，就是缺乏良好学习环境。若听由这些家庭天天在生活线上挣扎，肯定很难跳出贫困的陷阱。
对这些家庭来说，孩子是脱贫最大的希望，如果孩子一开始就被绊倒在人生起跑线上，无法和其他家庭的孩子一样，获得良好教育，或是因家贫而辍学，无法掌握一门谋生技能，家庭脱贫的希望就可能因而破灭。问题是，应该怎样帮助这类家庭走上脱贫之路？
建国初期，大部分家庭都是一穷二白，政府唯一能做的，是广设学校，普及教育，同时吸引外资，发展经济，制造就业机会。所谓水涨船高，整个社会慢慢地都从中受惠。大多数贫穷的父母，因为孩子有机会受良好教育，也有了收入较好的工作，家庭便因收入逐渐改善最终脱贫。这就是所谓的社会流动性。这是新加坡从第三世界走进第一世界之路，也是大多数本地家庭的脱贫之路。
为什么现在社会上还有穷人呢？目前这个低收入群体，可以说是社会集体奔小康过程中的掉队者。原因很多，包括个人因素、家庭因素和意外事故等等。他们一般来说，一是教育水平相对较低，二是缺乏一技之长，因此只能从事一些技能要求不高的劳力工作和打打零工，如清洁、保安、平台员工等。这些工作工资菲薄，往往应付不了家庭日常开销，也无法很好地照顾孩子的教育。
要帮助这些家庭脱贫，现在须要有新的做法，因为当今社会与职场情况和几十年前已大不相同。今天，多数家庭已属中产，出生在中产家庭的孩子都具有优越的生活和学习条件。低收入家庭的孩子一开始就在这两方面吃了亏。
其次，职场也已发生翻天覆地的变化。过去很多人没有教育和技能，还能投身各种劳力行业。现在国人已甚少愿意从事这类工作，大部分劳力空缺都由外劳填补。本地人做的基本上都是所谓的PMET（专业人士、经理、执行员与技师）工作，至少须有工艺教育水平；如果无法达到这个水平，就可能沦为只能打零工之类的低薪工人。
每一个掉队者都有特殊的原因，但他们共同的困境是缺乏教育和技能，无法有足够收入维持家计，有者甚至还有诸如债务、病痛、婚姻、毒瘾赌瘾等问题，自顾已是不暇，遑论要很好地教育孩子。单靠他们本身的力量，要挣脱贫困枷锁几乎不可能。单纯的福利接济，也无法解决这些家庭所面对的复杂问题。这就是我们常说的授之以鱼和授之以渔的问题。
Comlink计划可以说是一个对症下药的方案。简单说，是为有需要的低收入家庭提供一站式帮助，不仅仅是经济上的接济，而是最终要让他们脱贫。这当然不是一蹴可就的事。社会及家庭发展部长兼卫生部第二部长马善高就坦言：“这些措施显示我们的社会愿做长期投资，求取长远回报。与其采取应急方案，我们要做的是协助家庭建立韧性、稳固基础、自立自强的精神，最终达到提升社会流动性。这可能需要一代人，甚至更长的时间。但我们知道，提升这些家庭，为孩子提供有更好起跑点的能力，他们就越可能有更光明的未来。”
这是深中肯綮之言。一代人大约就是20年到25年的时间，也即一个人从入学到大专毕业进入职场所需的时间。这也是多数新加坡家庭走过的脱贫之路，其中，起关键作用的始终是孩子的教育。过去如此，现在也如此。脱贫确实没有可抄的捷径，而所有的措施最终也只能帮到那些人穷志不穷的人。
作者是前新闻工作者、前国会议员
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
RCCB or ELCB: Forum: No need to replace circuit breaker if it works
Forum: No need to replace circuit breaker if it works
We refer to Mr Teo Kok Seah’s letter on the requirement to have a residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) installed (Do present circuit breakers need to be replaced by new ones?, May 19).
To enhance electrical safety in all households, from July 1, 2023, all residential premises without a circuit breaker will be required to install an RCCB. All home owners will be given a grace period of two years, till July 1, 2025, to do so.
Home owners with an earth leakage circuit breaker (ELCB) do not need to change it. Both the RCCB and ELCB are electrical safety devices that cut off the electricity supply immediately upon detecting leakages that may result in an electric shock.
Home owners with RCCBs or ELCBs are advised to test that their circuit breaker is in working condition using a three-step test (www.go.gov.sg/rccb-safety). This is to ensure that the circuit breaker is functional and protects all electrical circuits in the home.
If the circuit breaker is not working, home owners can engage a licensed electrical worker at www.go.gov.sg/rccb-lew to replace the circuit breaker.
Yeo Cheng Hee
Acting Director, Inspectorate Department
Energy Market Authority
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从首尔公厕反思国人素质
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/talk/story20231128-1452687
2023-11-28
吴莲珠
以前到台湾和日本旅游，总是很羡慕那里的公厕清洁程度。朋友说，韩国的公厕也清洁得叫人佩服，我们自己国家的公厕，有些还真让人羞愧得难以抬头，甚至是耻辱。是不是我们的人口太稠密？还是公厕的使用率太高，清洁工人应付不来，导致肮脏不堪，厕纸满地，臭气熏天？
韩国首尔面积不大，只有605平方公里，三面环山，接近1000万的人口集中在大平原，比734平方公里的新加坡小一点，人口密度比我们大，但首尔的公厕，尤其地铁站公厕，却干净得叫人叹为观止。马桶干净如新，没一滴尿迹，地上没一滴水迹，也不见被人丢弃的厕纸或纸巾。我不曾看见清洁工人在洗刷打扫，让人纳闷首尔的公厕是怎么能保持这么干净的。
反观我国的公厕，尤其是咖啡店的，真的叫人不敢恭维。地上总是像下过大雨似地湿漉漉，没厕纸是常有的事，纸巾满地。人有三急冲进厕所时，会被吓个半死，马桶的肮脏程度真是难以想象。
上个月到首尔玩了几天，几乎每天都搭乘不同线路的地铁到处逛，在人潮汹涌的街道公厕，也干净得叫人折服。思前想后，应该是使用者的素质不同吧？我真的不愿意说国人素质低，但从公厕的清洁度来判断，我们的确很不如他人。
诧异的是，国人的教育水平越来越高，生活水平与人均收入也挤进世界前列，为什么我们的公厕却那么脏？归根结底，是使用厕所的人没有公德心。地铁是大家的，公厕也是大家的，用公厕要像用自己家里的厕所一样，用过后抽水，再检查马桶与坐垫，确保完全干净后才离开，这是基本的公德心。如果使用者都保持厕所清洁，就应该没有太大的问题。
以美国管理学者彼得（Laurence Johnston Peter）提出的“木桶效应”来说明，水桶想盛满水，必须每块木板都一样平齐且无破损。盛多少水，关键不在于木桶上那块最长的木板，而在于最短的那块板。衡量一个国家人民的素质，往往取决于大众的言行举止。相信大家都不希望听到别人说我们的素质低下吧？总之，只要每一个人在用公厕时都尽本分保持干净，我们的公厕有一天也能常保清洁卫生。
咖啡店厕所卫生能改善吗？
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/talk/story20231128-1452688
2023-11-28
戴文雪
读了11月13日《联合早报·社论》刊登的《勿让公厕之污变成国家之耻》，令人感触良深，尤其是文中提到“咖啡店厕所卫生却没有更加受到经营者和使用者重视”，真的是对我国多年来咖啡店厕所卫生“顽疾”一针见血的看法。
我经常在不同地区的咖啡店和朋友聚会用餐。这些咖啡店多数都有个共同点，即男厕空间狭窄脏乱，尤其是马桶的清洁状况，令人不敢相信这会出现在被誉为花园城市的新加坡。我问友人看法，他们说早习以为常，也没抱什么期望会有所改变。但我觉得事情不应如此。
国人对切身相关的问题抱着如此冷漠态度并非好事。是时候我们认真对待这个令人尴尬，甚至会成为国家耻辱的问题。
多年前，我有外国客人第一次来新加坡玩，我们在咖啡店用餐，客人走进咖啡店洗手间，但马上就出来，也没跟我说什么，相信是被肮脏程度给吓坏了。
最近我到马来西亚游玩，发觉高速公路休息站的公厕卫生条件已大有改善，比新加坡咖啡店或小贩中心的厕所卫生情况好得多。这是值得我们深思的。
或许很多人并不知道，我国很早就有个倡导清洁公厕的非营利组织——成立于1998年的新加坡卫浴文化协会（Restroom Association Singapore）。这反映不少国人还是相当重视厕所卫生的，只是推广效果还不显著。
我国的购物中心、机场、图书馆、政府部门办公楼等的厕所卫生水准都相当高，也都会提供免费卫生纸和洗手液，值得肯定。或许是因为这些地方都有一套严格的厕所清洁卫生管理标准，例如有专人定时检查卫生状况。清洁人员都受过一定的基本训练，更重要的是有人为此负责。或许本地咖啡店业者可以参考这些做法，毕竟干净的厕所反映业者的管理方针。
日本人重视厕所文化，曾有一位本地企业家告诉我，他的第一宗日本公司订单，就是因为厕所赢得的。日本公司的经理第一次到他工厂访问时，第一件事就要求去工厂厕所看看，之后就马上和企业家下单。
我国法律严明，但也不能样样都立法管治，使用厕所的习惯就是其一。中国政府在改革开放初期，曾经花了不少资源改善厕所文明，他们有句标语“向前一小步，文明一大步”，把民众使用厕所的问题形容得极为传神。
最近政府对在小贩中心和咖啡店用餐后，不清理桌面和归还托盘和餐具的人给予警告和罚款，这是法治。但对滥用厕所者却无能为力。我想除了教育，也没有他法。因此，保持厕所卫生除了业者有责任，使用者也不可卸责。希望有责任感的国人都能记得法国思想家和法学家孟德斯鸠的名言：“对一个人不公，就是对所有人的威胁。”
殡协会员对丧家权益一知半解
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/forum/views/story20231128-1452672
2023-11-28
陈家喜
现今社会对专业服务的要求，不仅是会不会做或能不能做的问题，而是要把企业管理、服务水平、产品和道德建立在品质化、精致化、完整化和透明化四大要素上。在这方面，殡葬业和殡协还有诸多须改进的事项和方向。
11月23日在《联合早报·言论》拜读何鸿材执行董事的《殡协会员重视丧家权益》一文后，不禁感到困惑和失望。对此，笔者有以下五项反驳的观点。
何君在回应新加坡竞争与消费者委员会在11月17日发布的殡葬价格调查研究结果时，不仅暴露了新加坡殡葬协会短视的态度、殡葬业诸多令人诟病之处，也凸显了殡协的鸵鸟心态。换言之，殡协的回应恰好印证了这份由竞消委所展开的代表性研究，是再正确不过的一举。
首先，笔者认为，殡协如果因在这次的市场调查中，没有参与相关研究问题的设计而得出结论，认为报告存在诸多瑕疵且欠缺客观性，这是一个利益团体向社会大众彰显其傲慢和缺乏理性的言论。
殡协似乎在回应中遗漏了一项非常重要的资讯。这份市场调查报告中在第七页第五段和第八页第九段，清楚表明这项调查把殡葬业者，包括殡协在内、医院、疗养院和消费者协会，纳入征询意见和经验的对象。
投诉数量极可能是冰山一角
以笔者浅见，殡协若对调查结果有诸多异议，应当推动另一项相关的市场调查，把研究问题和调查结果与国人分享，弥补此报告在殡协眼中的不足和欠缺客观性的问题。
第二，这份丧葬用品与服务价格的调查研究报告，是竞消委联同消协，在国家环境局支持下展开的。新加坡殡葬协会也是环境局所认定的官方代表。在这些前提下，殡协的回应难道不是在搬石头砸自己的脚吗？
第三，何君特别在文中提出竞消委在三年里只收到13个投诉个案，占了死亡率的0.01%这个例子。何君以此认为，这足以验证在服务业里，这个百分比是相对较低的。言下之意，殡葬业能供其他服务业者参考和学习。笔者认为，何君几乎没有考虑到需要丧葬用品和服务的消费者，在情理上和心理上都会偏向让一切翻篇。这个投诉数量极有可能只是冰山一角，根本不能实际体现消费者对于殡葬服务和业者的不满。何况由于殡葬服务的特殊性，大部分消费者基于礼节礼貌，甚少会在事后提出投诉。他也似乎没有考虑到大部分国人对殡葬服务一窍不通。因此，其结论恰巧体现了自欺欺人的鸵鸟心态。
第四，专业化问题。文中热心提醒社会大众“介绍人”和“正规殡葬业者“在产品与服务品质上的差异所在。依殡协所言，“介绍人”没有自己的公司，没有自己的全职员工，没有自己的仓储、遗体防腐设备及车队。在业内未能实行证照化的大前提下，殡协以上所做的对比，只是个假议题，混淆视听，更没有针对报告所提及的问题，如丧葬用品与服务定价不透明、弱势群体的权益未受保护等现象，做出具体回复。因此，文不对题。
现今社会对专业服务的要求，不仅是会不会做或能不能做的问题，而是要把企业管理、服务水平、产品和道德建立在品质化、精致化、完整化和透明化四大要素上。在这方面，殡葬业和殡协还有诸多须改进的事项和方向。
笔者希望何君能参考《联合早报》2021年1月13日所刊登的拙作《殡葬业未来10年发展方向》。文中提到目前的殡葬业还是没法满足现代社会对于专业化的要求，造成本地殡葬业整体上一直处于一种“土公仔”的阶段和印象。虽然近年来，不同业者都逐步提升自家的企业形象，但这些措施都只是表面功夫，没有实质的专业改革。在缺乏完整的专业殡葬教育体系的情况下，实施殡葬业者证照化，是最基本的门槛。
何君在文中苦口婆心向社会大众介绍“正规殡葬业者”的优势，也恰恰凸显本地殡葬业没有实质专业改革的窘境。
第五，价格须透明化。自诩致力于通过法规和纪律确保殡葬业提高临终服务水准的殡葬协会，更应当为这份报告所点出的问题，负起改革责任。很遗憾的是，何君却给读者一种强词夺理和推卸责任的负面观感。殡协的官网形容协会为新加坡殡葬业的“官方代表”。因此，何君的回应不可取，犹如失舵之舟。
再者，文中也凸显协会会员对消费者权益缺乏应有的认知和了解。与其高谈阔论，不如把协会角色扮演好，以具体行动好好教育社会大众如何货比三家，分辨“介绍人”和“正规殡葬业者”；与其呼吁大众在确定使用丧礼服务前，要求参观殡葬业者的公司及设施，不如以身作则，制定价格透明化方针，和在营运上的实务守则。殡协应当虚心接受此研究报告中所提及的问题、观察和现象，对症下药。这包括规定会员划一基本服务的价目表，并公布于众，好让消费者能在价格和支付选项透明化下，为人生的毕业典礼做出最明智、最符合心意的决定。
不是非营利协会或社团
殡协自诩从家属角度着想，为他们客制化丧礼。正因如此，更应当引领社会，在消费者有额外服务和物品需求的当下，从把提供附加选项和服务的价目表公诸于众做起。这也是殡协应当负起的社会责任。
我们也必须谨慎考量，避免赋予特定少数业者组成的协会过度的发言权。殡协的31个会员不是31个独立个体，部分会员都属于同一家族。以高额的会员费作为入会门槛，其中的利益关系不言而喻。值得一提的是，一半的会员都是独资企业或合伙企业。在超过30个会员的协会中，只有五家公司的年度财务报表可供公众查阅。更何况，协会的执行董事会由六家公司的东家长年把持，欠缺代表性。换言之，殡协应被视为一个商会，而不是一个致力于提高殡葬业专业程度的非营利协会或社团。
最后，国人必须探讨，如何在迅速老龄化的社会里，保障亲友的殡葬权益。这是一个棘手也发人深省的课题，却是超老龄化社会的必考题。面对这道必考题，在态度和具体方案上，殡协到目前为止是不及格的。
作者是海运风险评估企业分析师、生死学研究者
My 16-year plus Weight Management Records from 2007-05-28 to 2023-11-28 (by Calorie Restriction, i.e. Dietary Energy Restriction):
Note: According to the Singapore Health Promotion Board, a Healthy BMI is greater than18.5 and less than 23.0. A BMI less than 18.5 would mean that the individual is at risk of nutrition deficiency diseases and osteoporosis.
A BMI equal or greater than 23.0 would mean that the individual is at risk of obesity-related diseases. (Ref: DD-Md2022J28)
As of 2023-11-28,
Note: ### indicates BMI = 23 or > 23
Total number of Monthly Weight monitored was 198 (100%)
The no. of times my healthy BMI between 18.5 and 22.9 was 193 (97.475%)
The no. of times my unhealthy BMI equal or more than 23.000 was 5 (2.525%)
=======================
2007
2007-05-28 morning, my weight = 65.0 kg, BMI = 23.588###
2007-06-28 morning, my weight = 61.0 kg, BMI = 22.136
2007-07-28 morning, my weight = 59.0 kg, BMI = 21.410
2007-08-28 morning, my weight = 58.7 kg, BMI = 21.302
2007-09-28 morning, my weight = 57.5 kg, BMI = 20.866
2007-10-28 morning, my weight = 57.5 kg, BMI = 20.866
2007-11-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394
2007-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.5 kg, BMI = 20.140
2008
2008-01-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886
2008-02-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886
2008-03-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777
2008-04-28 morning, my weight = 54.4 kg, BMI = 19.741
2008-05-28 morning, my weight = 54.1 kg, BMI = 19.632
2008-06-28 morning, my weight = 54.6 kg, BMI = 19.814
2008-07-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777
2008-08-28 morning, my weight = 54.3 kg, BMI = 19.705
2008-09-28 morning, my weight = 54.9 kg, BMI = 19.923
2008-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.3 kg, BMI = 20.068
2008-11-28 morning, my weight = 54.5 kg, BMI = 19.777
2008-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177
2009
2009-01-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886
2009-02-28 morning, my weight = 55.9 kg, BMI = 20.285
2009-03-28 morning, my weight = 54.8 kg, BMI = 19.886
2009-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.3 kg, BMI = 20.068
2009-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.4 kg, BMI = 20.104.
2009-06-28 morning, my weight = 55.2 kg, BMI = 20.031
2009-07-28 morning, my weight = 55.1 kg, BMI = 19.995
2009-08-28 morning, my weight = 55.2 kg, BMI = 20.031
2009-09-28 morning, my weight = 56.3 kg, BMI = 20.431
2009-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.8 kg, BMI = 20.249
2009-11-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394
2009-12-28 morning, my weight = 56.1 kg, BMI = 20.358
2010
2010-01-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177
2010-02-28 morning, my weight = 56.5 kg, BMI = 20.503
2010-03-28 morning, my weight = 56.4 kg, BMI = 20.467
2010-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.7 kg, BMI = 20.213
2010-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.1 kg, BMI = 19.995
2010-06-28 morning, my weight = 56.4 kg, BMI = 20.467
2010-07-28 morning, my weight = 55.5 kg, BMI = 20.140
2010-08-28 morning, my weight = 55.8 kg, BMI = 20.249
2010-09-28 morning, my weight = 55.8 kg, BMI = 20.249
2010-10-28 morning, my weight = 55.4 kg, BMI = 20.104
2010-11-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177
2010-12-28 morning, my weight = 55.5 kg, BMI = 20.140
2011
2011-01-28 morning, my weight = 55.4 kg, BMI = 20.104
2011-02-28 morning, my weight = 56.5 kg, BMI = 20.503
2011-03-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177
2011-04-28 morning, my weight = 55.7 kg, BMI = 20.213
2011-05-28 morning, my weight = 55.6 kg, BMI = 20.177
2011-06-28 morning, my weight = 56.3 kg, BMI = 20.431
2011-07-28 morning, my weight = 56.5 kg, BMI = 20.503
2011-08-28 morning, my weight = 56.9 kg, BMI = 20.649
2011-09-28 morning, my weight = 56.2 kg, BMI = 20.394
2011-10-28 morning, my weight = 56.8 kg, BMI = 20.613
2011-11-28 morning, my weight = 59.0 kg, BMI = 21.410
2011-12-28 morning, my weight = 60.3 kg, BMI = 21.882
2012
2012-01-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318
2012-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753
2012-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.5 kg, BMI = 22.681
2012-04-28 morning, my weight = 61.3 kg, BMI = 22.246
2012-05-28 morning, my weight = 60.7 kg, BMI = 22.028
2012-06-28 morning, my weight = 60.6 kg, BMI = 21.992
2012-07-28 morning, my weight = 61.2 kg, BMI = 22.209
2012-08-28 morning, my weight = 60.8 kg, BMI = 22.064
2012-09-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318**
2012-10-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.608
2012-11-28 morning, my weight = 63.4 kg, BMI = 23.008###
2012-12-28 morning, my weight = 62.9 kg, BMI = 22.826
2013
2013-01-28 morning, my weight = 63.0 kg, BMI = 22.863
2013-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.1 kg, BMI = 22.536
2013-03-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318
2013-04-28 morning, my weight = 63.1 kg, BMI = 22.899****
2013-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.608
2013-06-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572
2013-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.645
2013-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.6 kg BMI = 22.717
2013-09-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg BMI = 22.645**
2013-10-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg BMI = 22.609
2013-11-28 morning, my weight = 63.1 kg BMI = 22.899
2013-12-28 morning, my weight = 64.4 kg BMI = 23.371###
2014
2014-01-28 morning, my weight = 63.6 kg, BMI = 23.080###
2014-02-28 morning, my weight = 63.3 kg, BMI = 22.971
2014-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753
2014-04-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753
2014-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.9 kg, BMI = 22.826
2014-06-28 morning, my weight = 63.1 kg BMI = 22.899
2014-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.7 kg, BMI = 22.753
2014-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572
2014-09-28 morning, my weight = 61.2 kg, BMI = 22.209
2014-10-28 morning, my weight = 61.4 kg, BMI = 22.282
2014-11-28 morning, my weight = 60.2 kg, BMI = 21.846
2014-12-28 morning, my weight = 60.8 kg, BMI = 22.064
2015
2015-01-28 morning, my weight = 61.3 kg, BMI = 22.246
2015-02-28 morning, my weight = 61.8 kg, BMI = 22.427
2015-03-28 morning, my weight = 61.8 kg, BMI = 22.427
2015-04-28 morning, my weight = 62,5. kg, BMI = 22.681
2015-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.645
2015-06-28 morning, my weight = 63.6 kg, BMI = 23.080###
2015-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg BMI = 22.609
2015-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572
2015-09-28 morning, my weight = 63.0 kg, BMI = 22.863
2015-10-28 morning, my weight = 63.2 kg, BMI = 22.935
2015-11-28 morning, my weight = 62.6 kg, BMI = 22.717
2015-12-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg BMI = 22.609
2016
2016-01-28 morning, my weight = 63.0 kg, BMI = 22.863
2016-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.8 kg, BMI = 22.790
2016-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.0 kg, BMI = 22.499
2016-04-28 morning, my weight = 62.0 kg, BMI = 22.499
2016-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.645
2016-06-28 morning, my weight = 62.1 kg, BMI = 22.536
2016-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572
2016-08-28 morning, my weight = 62.6 kg, BMI = 22.717
2016-09-28 morning, my weight = 62.8 kg, BMI = 22.790
2016-10-28 morning, my weight = 62,5. kg, BMI = 22.681
2016-11-28 morning, my weight = 62.1 kg, BMI = 22.536
2016-12-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.608
2017
2017-01-28 morning, my weight = 62.9 kg, BMI = 22.826
2017-02-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.644
2017-03-28 morning, my weight = 62.8 kg, BMI = 22.789
2017-04-28 morning, my weight = 62.3 kg, BMI = 22.609
2017-05-28 morning, my weight = 62.2 kg, BMI = 22.572
2017-06-28 morning, my weight = 62.6 kg, BMI = 22.717
2017-07-28 morning, my weight = 62.4 kg, BMI = 22.645
2017-08-28 morning, my weight = 61.9 kg, BMI = 22.463
2017-09-28 morning, my weight = 62.0 kg, BMI = 22.499
2017-10-28 morning, my weight = 62.0 kg, BMI = 22.499
2017-11-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318
2017-12-28 morning, my weight = 61.5 kg, BMI = 22.318
2018
My Weight 2018-01-28 0934 hr 61.0 kg BMI 22.136
My Weight 2018-02-28 0915 hr 60.7 kg BMI 22.027
My Weight 2018-03-28 0620 hr 61.0 kg BMI 22.136
My Weight 2018-04-28 1005 hr 61.7 kg BMI 22.390
My Weight 2018-05-28 0856 hr 60.5 kg BMI 21.955
My Weight 2018-06-28 0600 hr 61.4 kg BMI 22.281
My Weight 2018-07-28 0600 hr 62.2 kg BMI 22.572
My Weight 2018-08-28 0720 hr 61.4 kg BMI 22.281
My Weight 2018-09-28 0805 hr 62.1 kg BMI 22.535
My Weight 2018-10-28 0750 hr 61.3 kg BMI 22.24
My Weight 2018-11-28 1000 hr 61.5 kg BMI 22.318
My Weight 2018-12-28 0650 hr 62.5 kg BMI 22.681
2019
2019-01-28 at 1000 hr 60.9 kg BMI 22.100
2019-02-28 at 0946 hr 61.0 kg BMI 22.136
2019-03-28 at 0700 hr 62.4 kg BMI 22.644
2019-04-28 at 0828 hr 62.9 kg BMI 22.826
2019-05-28 at 0745 hr 62.4 kg BMI 22.826
2019-06-28 at 0650 hr 62.4 kg BMI 22.644
2019-07-28 at 0736 hr 62.8 kg BMI 22.789
2019-08-28 at 0629 hr 62.4 kg BMI 22.644
2019-09-28 at 0644 hr 61.9 kg BMI 22.463
2019-10-28 at 0740 hr 62.5 kg BMI 22.681
2019-11-28 at 0632 hr 62.8 kg BMI 22.789
2019-12-28 at 0726 hr 62.5 kg BMI 22.681
2020
My Weight 2020-01-28 0625 HR 62.6 kg BMI 22.717
My Weight 2020-02-28 0728 HR 62.3 kg BMI 22.608
My Weight 2020-03-28 0649 HR 61.4 kg BMI 22.281
My Weight 2020-04-28 0810 HR 62.0 kg BMI 22.499
My Weight 2020-05-28 0714 HR 62.3 kg BMI 22.608
My Weight 2020-06-28 0757 HR 60.2 kg BMI 21.846
My Weight 2020-07-28 0715 HR 61.6 kg BMI 22.354
My Weight 2020-08-28 0707 HR 61.1 kg BMI 22.173
My Weight 2020-09-28 0609 HR 60.8 kg BMI 22.064
My Weight 2020-10-28 0818 HR 60.7 kg BMI 22.027
My Weight 2020-11-28 0706 HR 60.9 kg BMI 22.100
My Weight 2020-12-28 0631 HR 60.5 kg BMI 21.955
2021
My Weight 2021-01-28 0638 HR 61.3 kg BMI 22.245
My Weight 2021-02-28 0741 HR 61.2 kg BMI 22.209
My Weight 2021-03-28 0659 HR 61.3 kg BMI 22.245
My Weight 2021-04-28 0659 HR 61.1 kg BMI 22.173
My Weight 2021-05-28 0618 HR 61.1 kg BMI 22.173
My Weight 2021-06-28 0604 HR 61.3 kg BMI 22.245
My Weight 2021-07-28 0642 HR 61.2 kg BMI 22.209
My Weight 2021-08-28 0653 HR 61.5 kg BMI 22.318
My Weight 2021-09-28 0618 HR 61.5 kg BMI 22.318
My Weight 2021-10-28 0549 HR 61.0 kg BMI 22.136
My Weight 2021-11-28 0630 HR 61.3 kg BMI 22.245
My Weight 2021-12-28 0528 HR 61.6 kg BMI 22.354
======================================
2022
My Weight 2022-01-28 0910 HR 61.1 kg BMI 22.173
My Weight 2022-02-28 0642 HR 61.2 kg BMI 22.209
My Weight 2022-03-28 0649 HR 61.4 kg BMI 22.281
My Weight 2022-04-28 0649 HR 61.4 kg BMI 22.281
My Weight 2022-05-28 0549 HR 61.0 kg BMI 22.136
My Weight 2022-06-28 0549 HR 61.0 kg BMI 22.136
My Weight 2022-07-28 0700 HR 60.6 kg BMI 21.991
My Weight 2022-08-28 0640 HR 61.3 kg BMI 22.245
My Weight 2022-09-28 0738 HR 61.7 kg BMI 22.390
My Weight 2022-10-28 0708 HR 61.5 kg BMI 22.318
My Weight 2022-11-28 0706 HR 60.9 kg BMI 22.100
My Weight 2022-12-28 0722 HR 61.1 kg BMI 22.173
========
2023
My Weight 2023-01-28 0537 HR 60.9 kg BMI 22.100
My Weight 2023-02-28 0515 HR 61.4 kg BMI 22.281
My Weight 2023-03-28 0606 HR 61.3 kg BMI 22.245
My Weight 2023-04-28 0738 HR 61.3 kg BMI 22.245
My Weight 2023-05-28 0721 HR 61.0 kg BMI 22.136
My Weight 2023-06-28 0641 HR 61.2 kg BMI 22.209
My Weight 2023-07-28 0700 HR 60.9 kg BMI 22.100
My Weight 2023-08-28 0655 HR 61.3 kg BMI 22.245
My Weight 2023-09-28 0806 HR 61.2 kg BMI 22.209
My Weight 2023-10-28 0718 HR 60.8 kg BMI 22.064
My Weight 2023-11-28 0612 HR 61.4 kg BMI 22.281
=======================================
Note:
My current BMI is within the healthy range of 18.5 to 22.9.
For me, the range of healthy weight is 50.9786 kg (BMI = 18.5) to 63.10324 kg (BMI = 22.9).
People with BMI values of 23 kg/m2 (or 25 kg/m2 according to some sources) and above have been found to be at risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.
To be healthy, I must have a healthy weight.
Be as lean as possible without being underweight, as recommended by World Cancer Prevention Foundation, United Kingdom.
=================================
Note: On 2021-05-28, I removed the unimportant details of old records from My Weight Management Records.
=================================
Ref. WeightManagement
Monday, November 27, 2023
Sunday, November 26, 2023
SPEECH BY MR ONG YE KUNG, MINISTER FOR HEALTH, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF SEMBAWANG POLYCLINIC - 25 NOVEMBER 2023 - 11.00AM
https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/speech-by-mr-ong-ye-kung-minister-for-health-at-the-official-opening-of-sembawang-polyclinic-25-november-2023-11.00am
SPEECH BY MR ONG YE KUNG, MINISTER FOR HEALTH, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF SEMBAWANG POLYCLINIC, 25 NOVEMBER 2023, 11.00AM
25TH NOV 2023
My Parliamentary Colleagues, Mr Vikram Nair and Ms Mariam Jaafar
Colleagues, friends, grassroots leaders, and residents
1. Good morning. It is my pleasure to join you today at the official opening of Sembawang Polyclinic, on its first day of operations. This continues our new tradition of officially opening a polyclinic on its first day of operations, which I think is more meaningful for residents.
2. First, I am here not just as the Health Minister, but this is also my constituency. Where we are is a special project and development called Bukit Canberra, which started off as a concept to build a stadium here. Then-Minister Khaw Boon Wan and I decided to keep as much of the contour, greenery and history of the place as possible, and to integrate the facilities instead. It has been a long journey, but today we are seeing it take shape.
Update on Bukit Canberra development
3. Sembawang Polyclinic is one feature which the residents have really been looking forward to. Even the hawkers are looking forward to its opening because they know it will drive traffic. I was told by the staff that residents have been popping in to take a look at the Polyclinic, so much so that the staff had to close the doors to stop residents from coming in and disrupting the construction work.
4. This is quite a special polyclinic, nestled in community facilities. We have been paying quite a bit of attention in ensuring that polyclinics are sited beautifully within the community and amidst community facilities. I wish I could say this is the first, but it is not. Bedok Polyclinic is nestled together with Heartbeat@Bedok and is also next to a swimming pool. Punggol Polyclinic is part of an HDB Integrated Hub and next to a waterway park connector. In time to come, NHG’s Toa Payoh Polyclinic will be part of an integrated hub by SportSG. The estimated year of opening is probably around 2029 or 2030. Hence a lot of emphasis is now placed on siting our polyclinics appropriately.
5. With the completion and opening of Sembawang Polyclinic, Bukit Canberra Phase 2 is almost completed. Phase 1 saw the opening of the multipurpose hall and the hawker centre. For Phase 2, we have the swimming pool and gym, and now the Polyclinic. What is missing is the childcare centre, eldercare centre operated by SPD, bridge going across the road, and the therapeutic garden, which we hope will be completed by the middle of next year. Residents can then look forward to Phase 3, which is quite special, with the refurbishment of Admiralty House into a library. Next to the library will be another swimming pool, which is a special one built after World War II, which we are preserving and enlarging. With that, it will signal the final completion of Bukit Canberra development.
6. Co-locating polyclinics or healthcare facilities with community facilities is only just one aspect, which is the hardware aspect. What is more important is how the polyclinics work with the community in bringing better health for Sembawang, and for Singapore. There is tremendous opportunity for healthcare workers in the healthcare facilities to work with the community. None can work alone. The community can go around doing healthy activities, but it needs the help of medical and healthcare professionals. Likewise, a facility like this can do a lot of work like Family Nexus and other programmes, but it needs to link up with the community, in order to maximise its impact. Here are a few areas where I think we have the opportunity to work on.
Food
7. Our hawker centre here has done a lot to make their food not just delicious, but also healthy. Out of the 40 stalls here selling food, 28 are now using lower sodium salt. Drinks at the hawker centre are kosong (no sugar) by default. They did not listen to me when I said siew dai (less sugar) by default. They said “we can do better”, so they have kosong by default.
8. Likewise here at the Polyclinic, there is a health and wellness studio where you will be organising healthy cooking workshops for residents, and leveraging the community gardens nearby and using fresh herbs and fresh vegetables. Between the hawker centre and you, there are opportunities to work together to promote healthy eating.
Physical Activity and Exercise
9. At Bukit Canberra, there are many healthy activities you can engage in. For instance, you can take walks around the park when it is opened, do community gardening, swim, go to the largest indoor ActiveSG gym, and participate in group exercises every morning in front of the hawker centre. In fact, a whole range of group exercises have been scheduled throughout Sembawang and Woodlands Town, which make use of our parks, open spaces, courtyards, pavilions etc.
10. Likewise, in the Polyclinic, NHG has the ‘fitter life’ and ‘lighter life’ programme. As the name implies, it helps you to become fitter, and lighter if you are overweight. Again I think this can synergise with what the community offers. In NHG, there is a multi-disciplinary team that addresses nutrition, physical activities, and helps residents to overcome barriers to physical activities and lifestyle changes. Under this programme, about 60% of the participants from August 2021 to July 2022 achieved at least 5% weight loss or one BMI unit loss. That is quite an encouraging result. 30% achieved at least 150 minutes of weekly physical activity. You have a very well thought out programme designed in NHGP, and you have a lot of activities happening within Sembawang town, so do synergise your efforts.
Better manage social risk factors
11. There will be an eldercare centre run by SPD. We also have Active Ageing Centres (AACs) nearby, such as Blossom Seeds and Touch Community, to support families and residents in need. They have been here for quite a number of years.
12. The polyclinic can in turn work with them to support the social needs of residents, especially social needs that will impact their health. Under the Family Nexus programme, Care Ambassadors from the Polyclinic try to understand the needs of families and offer appropriate interventions, such as offering postpartum care for mothers when they bring their child in for a vaccination appointment, or recommending suitable programmes provided in collaboration with our community partners.
13. For example, “Families for Life”, driven by the Ministry of Social and Family Development, offers parenting programmes and a peer support platform for parents to connect, and exchange tips with each other on their parenting journey. Another ongoing project is a partnership with the National Library Board to connect families to its volunteer reading programmes for children under six years of age, to build literacy in their formative years. By 2025, another library will open a stone’s throw away, and we have another library in Sun Plaza. I think this is one of the few towns, perhaps the only town, with two national libraries built so close to each other. So do leverage those libraries to advance your programmes.
Active ageing
14. Under Age Well SG, we are ramping up activities at all our AACs in Sembawang GRC. We are also leveraging the Residents’ Network (RN) centres. Just in Sembawang Central alone, weekly activities are now organised at five locations, and we are expanding them across the GRC.
15. On the other hand, the Polyclinic will have Care Coaches who will identify senior patients who are living alone and at risk of social isolation, and you can encourage them to participate in these active ageing programmes. NHGP has been doing this under the RELATE programme. So far, nearly half of the patients after joining the RELATE programme have less frequent visits to the polyclinic, meaning they fall sick less frequently, and more than two thirds reduced their HbA1c levels, which is also very encouraging.
Healthier SG
16. This is also an area where the Polyclinic and the community can work together. The Polyclinic will work closely with the GPs in this area to deliver preventive care for the residents. This will include regular vaccinations and health screening.
17. I am sure you are linked up already, and this is an area with great potential, with more and more Singaporeans and seniors enrolling in Healthier SG. The momentum is quite strong and expectations are quite high. We are improving our interventions. Early next year, we will be rolling out the CHAS Chronic Tier programme. With that, enrolled residents going to their GP clinic will be able to get their chronic medications at prices not very different from polyclinics.
18. Since we are on the topic of Healthier SG and health, let me do a bit of segue. There are recent reports on an infection surge in China, leading to hospitals in Beijing and Northern China becoming very crowded. This is a winter surge, which is not unexpected. Mostly kids are affected, with known infections such as RSV, influenza and Adenovirus. The spread is higher with more social interactions happening indoors during winter.
19. Singapore went through this too when we first relaxed our COVID-19 measures. There was a bit of a rebound in infections once we opened up. China is also experiencing the same, which is not unexpected but of course in temperate climates, there tends to be a winter surge. In our case, it was almost immediately after DORSCON Green when we had a surge which is now tapering down.
20. But this is also a useful juncture to remind ourselves that if we stop vaccinating, something similar may happen here when protection from previous vaccination wanes. Therefore it is important for us to keep up with our vaccination. Children are strongly encouraged to adhere to the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule, which is available at the polyclinics. For seniors and those who are medically vulnerable, take the COVID-19 vaccine at our JTVCs. The two nearest ones are at the former Woodlands Bus Interchange and former Yishun Bus Interchange.
21. These days when you talk to a resident and tell him or her to take the COVID-19 vaccination at least once a year to keep their “antidote” up, so that if they are ever infected, their risk of severe illness and hospitalisation will be minimised. The reaction, which is quite common now, is that they worry about side effects. The side effects of vaccination are well established – a bit of ache in the arm or slight fever, but that is about it.
22. But today, if residents are worried about severe side effects like stroke, cancer and heart attack and they associate this with vaccination, we have to correct this misperception. We have been very transparent about the side effects and risks of all vaccinations. In the case of COVID-19 vaccination, the risk of myocarditis, especially amongst younger males, is well established and we have been publishing the results. But even before COVID-19 and vaccination, every day, there are 60 Singaporeans who either suffer a heart attack or stroke, and six more Singaporeans require kidney dialysis. These are driven by lifestyles over many years – too much salt, too much sugar, lack of exercise and smoking – that accumulate. But when you have so many people suffering from stroke, heart attack and dialysis every day, after a while, they start associating and blaming it on vaccination.
23. When we take care of our personal health, we see a doctor who will diagnose our condition and prescribe medication for us. When we look at population health, there is no doctor telling the population what to do. But the population has to understand our own diagnosis. Our problem with chronic illness and rising incidence of cancer is due to our lifestyle over time, and exposing ourselves to risk factors. Vaccination helps to protect us against severe illness during infection that will come wave after wave. We cannot link the two. If we are really worried about heart attack, cancer and stroke, we should change our lifestyle in time, to live a healthier lifestyle. In the meantime, COVID-19 and different types of infections are still around, so do take our vaccination and protect ourselves against it.
Closing
24. Coming back to the Polyclinic, I want to thank the development team and all the staff. This project has been delayed because of COVID-19 and further complications with the development of the Bukit Canberra Community Hub.
25. The staff here have been mostly nested in Yishun and Woodlands Polyclinics. I thank you for your patience, and finally you have your own home. Rest assured that the community really looks forward to you working here and definitely welcome you and appreciate your work. We are all committed to serve our residents well and create health amongst our residents living in this area.
26. I emphasised a lot about polyclinics working with the community, and I think the spirit and intention are strong within NHG, and within this Polyclinic. Which is why I was quite cheered when you decided to paint the River of Life painting. You did not commission an artist, but you got your staff, management, residents and I to come together to create this mosaic. It represents a special River of Life, and I think we are on an unusual and very unique path towards better health. With this spirit, let us continue to create a healthier Singapore, and a healthier Sembawang.
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Last Updated on 25 Nov 2023