I just got this in my e-mail:
SEXISM IN PARLIAMENT - save on one hairdo ...
On Monday, 13 August, in parliament, MP Dr Lily Neo called for
medi-save fund to be extended to cover health screening procedures,
in particular, screening for breast cancer. The Health Minister Lim
Hng Kiang demurred, arguing that breast screenings were already
heavily subsidised. Dr Neo further argued that subsidised screening
at poly clinics were only applicable to women after 50, while
incidences of breast cancers were high
among women above age 50.
Reproduced below is part of their exchange. If you wish to read the
full report, it is on
http://straitstime.asia1.com.sg/singapore/story/0,1870,63930-997826340.00.hmtl
We draw your attention to the Minister's 'final words' at the end
of the
piece: "Save on one hairdo and use the money for breast
screening"
It is a sweeping and blatantly unfair response to Dr Neo's effort
at arguing
her point and, dismisses her arguments in high-handed
fashion.
It clearly illustrates a gender-based prejudice in the Minister's
attitude. This attitude in parliament where women MPs are few in
numbers contributes to additional and unfair pressures on women MPs
trying to make their points.
The luxury of a 'hair-do' is out of reach of many women, especially
in these hard times. Perhaps the Minister moves in too exalted a
circle to notice.
If you agree, we urge you to speak up and send your thoughts to the
media and to the Minister's office, asap.
This is a good opportunity to demonstrate our solidarity with our
women leaders and to draw attention to the need for
attitudinal/cultural change among our leadership.
2. This also informs you that the AWARE website has been revamped.
While it
is still going through refinement, you can check it out at http://www.aware.org.sg/
dana lam-teo
President, AWARE
SEVERAL backbenchers yesterday urged Health Minister Lim Hng Kiang
to allow Medisave money to be used by people for annual health
check-ups.
But none was more persistent than Dr Lily Neo (Kreta Ayer-Tanglin
GRC), who engaged the minister in a robust exchange.
Dr Neo argued that it is better to get women to use their Medisave
money for breast-cancer tests when they are younger, as early
detection could save their lives, rather than to use the funds only
in old age, or when they are already victims of end-stage
diseases.
By that time, Medisave would be redundant.
Dr Neo stood up several times and pumped Mr Lim with question after
question on the subject. She wanted more to be done to help people
pay for health screening for diseases such as breast cancer and
colon cancer. On colonoscopy for colorectal-cancer detection,
another point pursued by Dr Neo, Mr Lim said that there was no
conclusive proof in studies undertaken in the United States and
elsewhere that mass health screening is an effective means by which
to detect this problem.
But he added that when the Government was convinced that such tests
work, it will allow the use of Medisave for this. The exchange
started when Mr Lim said that his ministry had decided against
allowing Medisave to be used for health screening, as the money was
meant for hospitalisation and medical treatment in old age.
'There are many types of health screening, of which many are not
cost effective,' said Mr Lim. And screenings, such as mammographies
and Pap smears, are already affordable at polyclinics, with heavy
subsidies provided.
There is also the Community Health Screening Programme for the
elderly to detect conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and
high blood cholesterol, for a co-payment fee of $5 of the $20
charged.
He cautioned that the Government must guard against any tendency to
use the funds too liberally, as it would result in even higher
rates of contributions to the Medisave Account.
Mr Lim was responding to MP Sin Boon Ann (Tampines GRC), who asked
for the review of guidelines to include the use of Medisave
for
annual medical check-ups.
But Dr Neo was not convinced. She questioned: 'May I ask the
Minister for Health whether he agrees that prevention is better
than cure?'
'If it is, wouldn't he encourage more people to practise this
concept by using their own funds?'
Mr Lim said that he agreed with the adage, but he added that
'screening is not a key mechanism for preventive health
care'.
However, he said that he did not rule out health screening as a
useful device.
'First, we have to be convinced that the health screening based on
trials and evidence is effective, otherwise you undertake a major
health screening and you get people all worked up, too many false
results and it's not money put to good use,' he said.
Besides, cost is not the main deterrent, he noted, as the take-up
rate for free mammographies is still very low. Dr Neo retorted that
subsidised mammographies at polyclinics is applicable only to women
aged 50 years and above, but half of those who
die from breast cancer are below 50.
While Mr Lim said he sympathised with this, his rejoinder to her
was: 'Save on one hairdo and use the money for breast
screening.'
[This message has been edited by IdeaLink (edited 15 August
2001).]
[This message has been edited by IdeaLink (edited 15 August
2001).]
