SAF should not be the Achilles heel in anti-DIABETES
war
More research into relationship between IPPT score vs onset of
diabetes mellitus needs to be done with massive SAF repository of
pre-enlistment medical screening results, pre-IPPT FFI, FFI for
regular servicemen, family history and smoking/ drinking habit data
and not least, annual IPPT results for BOTH NSmen and ESPECIALLY
regular servicemen vs their future medical outcomes: e.g. years
since best IPPT result till onset of diabetes mellitus , healthcare
subsidy consumption vs latest valid IPPT result.
This is because SAF has a MASSIVE repository of IPPT results for
the last 50yrs since 1967 (possibly unmatched by anyone of half the
entire SG population):
"When
National Service was first introduced in Singapore in 1967, the
physical fitness test included a 4.8 kilometres run to be completed
within 30 minutes, and the completion of 9.6 kilometres within 70
minutes while wearing the skeletal battle order (a type of
load-carrying equipment).https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individual_physical_proficiency_test "
According to https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/clarification/14jun11_clarification.print.img.html
"Before
embarking on their IPPT, servicemen at age 25 and 30 will be
required to pass a basic medical screening. From age 35 and above
they will have to pass an annual basic health screening by the SAF
medical doctors. The SAF will also commence annual advanced cardiac
screenings from as early as age 40 for servicemen deemed to be at
high risk for coronary diseases. "
There is, btw, a pre-enlistment health screening to exclude
everything from diabetes to congenital heart disease and hearing
impairment in servicemenhttps://www.cmpb.gov.sg/cmpb/before-ns/pre-enlistment-process/medical-screening-and-psychometric-test/ ,
so there is actually voluminous and immensely valuable data
relating physical fitness to morbidity and mortality data etc:
revealing whether physical fitness/ lifestyle choices make any
difference to future physical health and as a consequence,
healthcare costs / subsidy consumption patterns amongst
Singaporeans and PRs.
As part of the usual meritocratic framework entrenched in the
Singapore ethos, compulsory medishield-life insurance premium
discounts could be given to those with good IPPT results in
recognition for their personal commitment to keep their dependence
on gahmen healthcare subsidies low, as well as a corresponding
surcharge for smokers who would be at higher liability to consume
greater healthcare resources.
Secret tips to good health and fitness (diet, sleep patterns,
lifestyle habits, pearls of wisdom etc) could also be sought from
every serviceman at each medical review point and analysed through
supercomputing methods to decipher which are the truly ideal
habits/pearls based correlating with good fitness and health. 21km
run timings of SAF sponsored Army Half Marathon now in its 25th
anniversary could also add additional dimensions to the massive
data collection.
More IPPT test options like swimming and cycling need to be
introduced to ensure wider participation; as well as possible roll
out to the entire population to replace the current step tracker
campaign wherein which the tracker is unable to differentiate if
the steps had been made by the human owner or his
dog.
As is the current case, the IPPT pass rate of <19% is an
embarrassment for any military, revealing that >81% of active
NSmen are actually UNFIT/ un-deployable for service let alone
war. http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/national-service-knowledge-base-162/80%25-nsmen-actually-physically-unfit-reservist-military-training-war-5677920.html
A greater credence of IPPT in promoting health warrants URGENT
study if Singapore's military is to remain functional, and if
Singapore wishes to avert bankruptcy from future diabetes and other
physical inactivity related (unnecessary) healthcare costs. For a
select few, test for insulin sensitivity /resistance could add
accuracy to the overall results https://youtu.be/Gf4rVzVLBas .
Perhaps if Singapore could show proven success in fighting DIABETES
that is plaguing all parts of the world (and bankrupting so many
from high healthcare costs) then the Nobel prize should be in order
for Singapore; otherwise, facing bankruptcy from high healthcare
costs , DIABETES might just be the last nail on the coffin for
independent Singapore