Why are some doctors are vocationalised as medics in the SAF when
they are serving their National Service. Why has the SAF allowed this,
especially since doctors from the Ministry of Health are seconded to the
SAF every year because of manpower shortage in the SAF Medical Service?
The need to utilise doctors in their professional role has always been recognised by the SAF.
National Servicemen with recognised medical qualifications to practise
in the SAF will have to be trained to operate in the military
environment before being commissioned as Medical Officers. Most doctors
are able to do so, even those with medical problems so severe that they
are unable to complete the medical officers' course, are utilised as
para-medical personnel where their medical knowledge is still put to
good use. Only in an extreme case such as that of a person who fails the
course because of his poor attitude to military training or
disciplinary problems, would he be used as a medical orderly. This is
because his attitude may affect his behaviour and practice towards
soldiers.
To ensure that good quality healthcare is given to SAF servicemen, it is
necessary to have sufficient doctors in SAF Medical Centres so that
adequate time can be given to each patient. Doctors from the Ministry of
Health have been seconded, including women doctors, to assist the SAF
when the numbers in the SAF have temporarily been low. The women doctors
have been particularly welcomed by servicewomen in the SAF.