http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/forum/story/0,5562,356344,00.html?Continue free treatment for infectious diseases
?In the second article it was stated that 'with the free treatment for dengue and chickenpox patients at the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) already stopped, the Health Ministry now wants to review the no-charge policy for other infectious diseases as well'.
I would like to suggest that this policy review be re-considered in the light of heightened fears about a possible bird-flu pandemic.
The Minister Mentor recently expressed concern over the spread of bird flu and warned Singaporeans not to take it lightly.
All we need is for maybe just one infected person to hesitate seeking treatment or hospitalisation because of financial reasons, and the result could be the death of thousands and economic losses in the billions.
With about 240,000 people earning less than $1,000 a month, 74,000 needy households in the ComCare database, and around 39,000 HDB households in arrears on their service and conservancy charges, the $272 mean cost of hospital treatment for dengue at CDC's adjoining Tan Tock Seng Hospital for a C-class patient may be a financial strain on the lower-income group. The cost for flu may be higher as the typical stay in hospital may be longer
It may thus be penny wise and pound foolish to save $400,000 a year from stopping free treatment for 1,180 patients, compared to the risks should infectious diseases spread. Saving lives is paramount and should be weighed against any cost savings.
I was struck by the contrast between
US President George Bush's US$7.1 billion (S$12 billion) plan to cope with a flu pandemic and Singapore's termination of free treatment for infectious diseases to save just $400,000. The historical rationale for offering free treatment in the hope that patients would seek treatment and so prevent the spread of infectious diseases may still be sound, as we never know what new diseases we may have to contend with, like Sars and a flu pandemic.
The fact that the number of chickenpox patients seen at the CDC has dropped from 60 a month to just six in two months could mean either that they are going elsewhere for treatment because it is no longer free, or that some may be delaying or avoiding treatment altogether.
The latter is particularly true of foreign workers, who, besides having to foot the bill, may fear having their wages cut, or even losing their jobs.
Leong Sze Hian
