(Can't seem to post in the Medical thread, thus posting
here)
Dear MO,
I would like to seek advise from ex or current SAF MO. I am
having lower back pain with the pain radiating down to my left leg
(pain + a little bit of numb) and I have difficulty walking
properly (without having to limp). I went to my camp MO to report
sick and was given Light Duties till my appointment with my
specialist at SGH.
During the period when I was given light duties and as all of
the NSFs know, would be made to do sai kang. I was made to use the
ET Blade to loosen the sand on the SOC ground and also to carry
dumb bells from the store to another place and everytime after
that, the pain would be aggravated and my left leg would also be in
pain. I still continued doing because my commander would sure think
that I chao geng or whatever since loosening the sand all that is
not "heavy duty". Therefore, I've to rely on
Tramadol (Panadols don't work) to stop the pain
because if I don't take pain killers, I can't get to sleep at night
as the pain is too intense.
Fast forward, I saw my specialist at SGH and was told to have
minimal bulging disc from L1/2 to L4/5. I've done a Lumbar MRI
before I have my back injured due to some bladder problem. Hence,
my specialist gave me another Lumbar MRI appointment and also a
month MC.
I went back to camp to endorse my MC but my MO didn't want to
endorse the MC stating that he find that it is too long. The MO
gave me a 5 days MC and told me to report back to camp and see him
after that and he also said that he will talk to my specialist
about my mc.
Question 1) Is there any medical directive that the MO is
allowed to over-ride the MC given by my specialist ?
Question 2) If I report back to camp after the 5 days MC the MO
gave me and the MO wasn't able to reach my specialist, is the MC
given by my specialist still valid or is it nullified ?
Please advise on what I should do as I think I really need the
rest. I've been depending too much on painkillers when I am in the
camp.
Thanks in advance
1) Yes, the Camp MO has the prerogative. After the MC period,
he have the options to extend the
MC period and also its subsequent renewal
basis.
2) You can still use the same specialist memo and the accompanying
hospital MC to get your camp MO to renew the MC
extension.
3) Please sound out when you have real medical case to your PC,
since you are not malingering. Honestly tell your camp MO about the
work you are doing now and thus request him to please give you
temporary excuse status such as excuse heavy loads,
excuse carrying heavy objects to further add on to your normal Att
B (Fit for Light Duties) status. And just show your
specialist memo to your PC to have his understanding on your
medical conditions.
