Singaporean overseas need help

last SG · 2009-02-27T02:11:30+00:00

where did that come from? www.mrbrownshow.com

viciouskitty74 SG

Sura,

1st thing 1st. Please be patient and polite even if the forumers are being rude.

As far as I understand, thai persons are very polite and patient. They do not appear rude, not even online. So if you can control your response, then you can expect decent responses.

Your uncle has retired, and he most likely only hold Thai Permanent Resident status. He should still be Singaporean.

Most airlines or even the budget airlines will not allow your uncle to board the plane to return to Singapore, if he cannot stand and walk down the walkway to the planes.

So your only option is to fly your uncle using those medical flights which cost about S$10k per flight.

Even retired, your uncle might still have some medi save in his a/c. And even if not, he is still entitled to some discounted medical from Singapore.

Please advise what is his medical situation before we proceed further.

PS. I have families in Thailand. So I know some stuffs. But not all. But if you give detailed description, then we can advise more.

Also, your uncle may not have some living arrangement for Singapore. Sending him to Singapore, are you prepared to get him a decent living space and seek medical treatment at the same time?

And you best ask his approval before sending him to Singapore. Or he might just think you are trying to get rid of him.

viciouskitty74 SG

Sometimes, some people prefer to die elsewhere instead of Singapore.

Like me for instance. No point dying in Singapore.

Rednano SG

Ministry of Health, Singapore: www.moh.gov.sg

healthcare financing FAQ:
www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/publicationseduresources.aspx?id=20394

average hospital bill charges:
www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/billsize.aspx?id=302

kopiosatu SG

i think u should try to talk to your uncle first

who knows, he might not wanna come back to SG at all.

there are good reasons why people leave this country.

viciouskitty74 SG

Sorry. I should make myself clear. Is there a free medical treatment for resident of Singapore in Singapore? My uncle can't afford the fee here so he should return to Singapore for free treatment.

No, there is no free medical treatment for Residents of Singapore, in Singapore.

And no, if he or you cannot afford the fees in Bangkok Thailand, there is no free treatment for him in Singapore.

And please ask your uncle's wishes before attempting to 'repatraite him back to Singapore'.

Rednano SG

Someone please enlighten this poor soul.

Wait he happily pay taxes.

Ministry of Health: www.moh.gov.sg

JB Nursing Homes - MOH Clarifies
Last updated 20 Feb 09

From feedback received and online discussion, it is apparent that there is much misunderstanding on Minister Khaw’s comments on nursing homes in JB. Some expressed objection to using the nursing homes in JB for their elderly. They felt that this would tantamount to abandoning the elderly overseas. We commend their spirit. Indeed, we would like to state categorically that nobody is advocating that the elderly be abandoned, here or overseas. Minister’s comments arose from the requests by many Singaporeans to use their Medisave for overseas hospital care where competent care is available at lower cost. Unfortunately, his comments have been twisted out of context. (MOH clarifies:It is a matter of options and affordability (The New Paper, 18 Feb)

Minister Khaw was only sharing an observation about the different cost structures in JB and Singapore, and in fact this option is something that those who want to stretch their budget are already doing. On why nursing homes cost more in Singapore than JB, it is a case of market realities arising from different stages of economic development. This is not a failure of Singapore's healthcare system, but a reality that our cost of living here is higher. Our doctors and nurses are paid more their counterparts there; likewise the cost of land and construction.(MOH clarifies:Why nursing homes cost more to build and run in Singapore (The Straits Times, 20 Feb)

We certainly encourage families to strive to help their elderly age-in-place, i.e. at home. The vast majority of Singaporeans do, and we commend and applaud their strong family bonds. The fact is that not all patients can be cared for adequately at home, while this may be the top wish of the patients and their families. Sometimes, they do need to be admitted to a hospital, if conditions are severe, or to a nursing home, if the conditions are less serious. They are not "homes for the aged" where the elderly has been abandoned by their children, with no family to return to. Many commentators may have mixed up nursing homes with homes for the aged. Ultimately, whether the patients should be cared for at home, at nursing home in Singapore, or at nursing home overseas, are decisions for the family to decide. (MOH clarfies: Strong families ties and values in care for the elderly. (ZB's english translation, 23 Feb )

For the low income group, they do not have to worry as Government subsidy ensures that nursing homes here will be affordable. Each year, the Ministry of Health (MOH) provides about $110 million in operating subsidies for the Intermediate and Long-term Care (ILTC) services, which include nursing homes. Needy families will get the subsidies they need, and even from Medifund.For those who can afford unsubsidised nursing home care, keeping the borders open provide them with options. This is the context in which Minister Khaw made his comment.

In fact, some readers shared the view that the availability of lower nursing homes in JB gives many Singaporeans more options. One such reader is Mr. Dennis Teo who wrote a letter to The New Paper “For some, JB homes could mean better care” (20 Feb).

You can also view the context of Minister's comments in Parliament in a video clip.

Surachailin SG

Thank for all comments, especially viciouskitty74

I aplogize for being rude I was frustrated over this matter. No my uncle doesn't hold any Thai Permanent Resident status. He's still a Singaporean with pink identity card. He's a retiree who is staying here with us. My purpose for starting this thread is I would to know if there is any medical treatment in Singapore that is affordable for retiree, I should not use the word 'free' in the beginning. It is better he can be treated in Singapore because he is a foreigner here and the hospital does not accept a non-Thai patient unless he has the insurance and enough fund to pay for the treatment. My uncle is in critical condition that's why the hospital has no choice but to accept him.

I have contacted a Thai-government charity fund org to see if they can help my uncle to cover the full medical expense.

PS: Yes, Thais are usually polite and decent... I am half Thai.

alwaysdisturbed SG

Someone please enlighten this poor soul.

Wait he happily pay taxes.

not yet. hopefully never.

though i'm still paying gst.

Rednano SG

Thank for all comments, especially viciouskitty74

I have contacted a Thai-government charity fund org to see if they can help my uncle to cover the full medical expense.

PS: Yes, Thais are usually polite and decent... I am half Thai.

knn... i give u singapore health ministry information... n u dont appreciate...

Surachailin SG

Thank you Rednano for the information. I appreciated. It seem my uncle condition is getting worst so air-travel is impossible. I think he should stay in the hospital until he is recover a little. The hospital is willing to lower the medical bill.

English is not my first language. I shouldn't use the word 'immigrant', people misunderstood that he gave up his nationality and settle here. He's still a Singaporean. He stays here by visa.

viciouskitty74 SG

Errm....which visa?

If your uncle cannot fly, you might need to consider driving him back to Singapore, if you really think that will help his financial condition.

Also, do consult with the Singapore Embassy about him returning to Singapore as a last resort. They have the connections to help facilitate his return to Singapore, but cannot contribute to the expenses of your uncle's return.

viciouskitty74 SG

Half thai or not. As long as you do reside in Thailand, has thai heritage. You are thai.

Much like most of us, we are Singaporeans. Be it half, mix or living overseas.

lostintransition SG

if your uncle still maintains his cpf-medisave a/c....and hasn't opted out of the medishield scheme...he might still be covered under it.

genang SG

last but no least, if your uncle do not hv anyone to support him and pay for his medical bills, you can go to the medical social worker (MSW) at the hospital he is getting treatment to get help... depending on his situation after some interview, he may only pay a certain percentage of his medical bill or even not pay a cent.

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