The consultation fee in Polyclinics has been rising almost every year. It is also relatively high compare to what HDB heartland GP charges. Currently it is 48.13. The average consultation fee of GP is around 20+.
Polyclinic is meant for the public masses, it is ridiculous to jerk up the fee and then provide govt subsidy. It looks like the govt is very generous with the subsidy but in actual fact the out of pocket payment by patients is more due to the high fee.
Those who have CHAS card is better off seeing their GP. Reasonable fee, much shorter waiting time even if there is no prior appointment and simple administration for registration, collection of medication, payment....etc. At polyclinic the waiting time to see a doctor can be around 3 hrs without appointment. Then patients have to more from one counter/station to another for registration, collect medicine, etc... which the elderly finds it hard to handle.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
US canine war hero
US president posted a photo of the war canine hero in his tweet. Its name is not revealed because according to a US Army General, they need to protect the dog's identity as it is carrying out secret missions. The dog is under classified unit and so the dog needs some degree of anonymity.
I find this funny - isn't a picture of the dog more revealing than its name ? I suppose US president tweeted the photo without knowing that the dog is 'classify' something like a spy whose identity needs to be protected.
I find this funny - isn't a picture of the dog more revealing than its name ? I suppose US president tweeted the photo without knowing that the dog is 'classify' something like a spy whose identity needs to be protected.
$4.7M white elephant bike parking lot
I read with disbelieve that our govt spend $4.7M to build a bike parking lot which will be scrapped just after 2 years of operation. It took 4 years to build the bike lot.
It was reported that this bike parking lot is the first auto underground parking system to be build in S'pore in Admiralty under Sembawang GRC. It was opened in Jan 18 and will be closed by Dec 19. There was a 1 month free trail at its opening and then charges were fixed at $22 for unlimited parking or 25cents/hr. The rate was increased to $48 or 45cents/hr after Apr 18.
It has 500 lots and it was reported that only 3 lots were utilized between Feb 18 to Sep 19. How can this be ? It that some mistake in reporting ? Granted it is a badly conceived project - such ridiculous take up rate means that is something very wrong with our govt planning.
What is worrying is this case could be indication of a systemic problem with our govt wanting to be a SMART nation at all cost, without thinking through what are the must have changes vs cosmetic frills. Our govt is responsible to use public fund wisely.
This bike parking lots speaks volume of govt lack of understanding of public needs and sentiment. I suppose all these ministers with high salary would not be able to understand that anyone with common sense will not pay $48 to park our bike. We cycle to MRT station....is to save money on transport. Paying for bike parking would wipe out whatever saving. Besides, bike parking is free and so convenient above ground. This underground auto parking may not be so convenient after all.
The increase in parking fee after a short period of 3 months reflected greed. I do not know the details but it does not make sense to increase fee when there is weak demand. This whole episode is a reflection of a worrying trend of governance in S'pore.
It was reported that this bike parking lot is the first auto underground parking system to be build in S'pore in Admiralty under Sembawang GRC. It was opened in Jan 18 and will be closed by Dec 19. There was a 1 month free trail at its opening and then charges were fixed at $22 for unlimited parking or 25cents/hr. The rate was increased to $48 or 45cents/hr after Apr 18.
It has 500 lots and it was reported that only 3 lots were utilized between Feb 18 to Sep 19. How can this be ? It that some mistake in reporting ? Granted it is a badly conceived project - such ridiculous take up rate means that is something very wrong with our govt planning.
What is worrying is this case could be indication of a systemic problem with our govt wanting to be a SMART nation at all cost, without thinking through what are the must have changes vs cosmetic frills. Our govt is responsible to use public fund wisely.
This bike parking lots speaks volume of govt lack of understanding of public needs and sentiment. I suppose all these ministers with high salary would not be able to understand that anyone with common sense will not pay $48 to park our bike. We cycle to MRT station....is to save money on transport. Paying for bike parking would wipe out whatever saving. Besides, bike parking is free and so convenient above ground. This underground auto parking may not be so convenient after all.
The increase in parking fee after a short period of 3 months reflected greed. I do not know the details but it does not make sense to increase fee when there is weak demand. This whole episode is a reflection of a worrying trend of governance in S'pore.
Saturday, September 21, 2019
NEA vs Aqicn.org data on haze
On 19/9/19 in Today paper "NEA addresses questions over the veracity of PSI, as alternative air quality reading emerge". Same old story over the years every time when haze descends upon Singapore - NEA desperately defending their 24hrs average data.
NEA Dr Khairunnisa Yuhya even accused aqicn.org haze reading as being 'incorrect' compare to NEA 24 hr PSI reading. Aqicn.org is not incorrect but more accurate as it is instantcast reading. Besides their data is obtained from NEA hourly reading, so how can it be incorrect ? If NEA converts its 1 hr PM2.5 reading in ug/m3 into PSI, its reading will be very close to those of aqicn.org too.
Why does NEA not convert its hourly reading into PSI ? Their 24 hr average PSI reading is actually converted from ug/m3. The only reason for not doing so for the 1 hr reading is that they don't want the public have easy comparison. Most folks only remember the number above '100' PSI means unhealthy. But they may not be aware that 56 ug/m3 in the 1 hr reading is equivalent to above 100 PSI. The descriptive 'elevated' in 1 hr reading has the same meaning as 'unhealthy' in 24 hr averaged data. (note: as safe exposure limit for PM2.5 is base on 24 hrs, for conservative safety reason, we can base 1 hr safe expose limit on the 24 hr recommendation ie 56 ug/m3 'elevated' being the start of unhealthy range)
NEA don't seems to understand that for public safety - its 24 hr average reading is not helpful at all. As an analogy, if there is a chemical gas leak in a factory - workers will be evacuated base on real time reading. Emergency response team will put on protective mask base on real time reading. This is the same for environmental pollution - public should base their decision on real time reading and NOT averaged down 24 hrs data.
Environment pollution 24 hour data is used to gauge exposure health issues that may arises. Public decision to wear face mask or to stay indoor or not - should be based on real time reading (1 hr data). It is NOT safe to base decision on 24 hour averaged down reading !
Aqicn.org under their FAQ explains in details how they derive their reading. They also explained why they think 24 hr averaging is a "very bad idea" as air pollution is dynamic and no one can wait for 24 hrs before knowing that the air quality is good.
NEA should consider using Nowcast data formula suggested in aqicn.org website which is more reflective of haze suitition.
The NowCast is computed from the most recent 12 hours of PM monitoring data, but the NowCast weights the most recent hours of data more heavily than an ordinary 12-hour average when pollutant levels are changing. The NowCast is used in lieu of a 24-hour average PM concentration in the calculation of the AQI until an entire calendar day of hourly concentrations has been monitored."
NEA should stop being so defensive and get their priority right by making the haze reading/descriptive easy for public to understand.
NEA Dr Khairunnisa Yuhya even accused aqicn.org haze reading as being 'incorrect' compare to NEA 24 hr PSI reading. Aqicn.org is not incorrect but more accurate as it is instantcast reading. Besides their data is obtained from NEA hourly reading, so how can it be incorrect ? If NEA converts its 1 hr PM2.5 reading in ug/m3 into PSI, its reading will be very close to those of aqicn.org too.
Why does NEA not convert its hourly reading into PSI ? Their 24 hr average PSI reading is actually converted from ug/m3. The only reason for not doing so for the 1 hr reading is that they don't want the public have easy comparison. Most folks only remember the number above '100' PSI means unhealthy. But they may not be aware that 56 ug/m3 in the 1 hr reading is equivalent to above 100 PSI. The descriptive 'elevated' in 1 hr reading has the same meaning as 'unhealthy' in 24 hr averaged data. (note: as safe exposure limit for PM2.5 is base on 24 hrs, for conservative safety reason, we can base 1 hr safe expose limit on the 24 hr recommendation ie 56 ug/m3 'elevated' being the start of unhealthy range)
NEA don't seems to understand that for public safety - its 24 hr average reading is not helpful at all. As an analogy, if there is a chemical gas leak in a factory - workers will be evacuated base on real time reading. Emergency response team will put on protective mask base on real time reading. This is the same for environmental pollution - public should base their decision on real time reading and NOT averaged down 24 hrs data.
Environment pollution 24 hour data is used to gauge exposure health issues that may arises. Public decision to wear face mask or to stay indoor or not - should be based on real time reading (1 hr data). It is NOT safe to base decision on 24 hour averaged down reading !
Aqicn.org under their FAQ explains in details how they derive their reading. They also explained why they think 24 hr averaging is a "very bad idea" as air pollution is dynamic and no one can wait for 24 hrs before knowing that the air quality is good.
NEA should consider using Nowcast data formula suggested in aqicn.org website which is more reflective of haze suitition.
The NowCast is computed from the most recent 12 hours of PM monitoring data, but the NowCast weights the most recent hours of data more heavily than an ordinary 12-hour average when pollutant levels are changing. The NowCast is used in lieu of a 24-hour average PM concentration in the calculation of the AQI until an entire calendar day of hourly concentrations has been monitored."
NEA should stop being so defensive and get their priority right by making the haze reading/descriptive easy for public to understand.
Saturday, September 14, 2019
TV haze broadcast of 1 hr reading is NOT in PSI
Many are not aware that there is a difference in PSI reading and ug/m3
(microgram per meter cube). This is because the health warning levels
are different.
NEA 24 hour average reading is in PSI. However NEA 1 hour average reading is in ug/m3.
S'pore official health advisory is based on 24 hours average PSI reading. For our personal health concern, we should base our activities on 1 hour real time reading ie to stay indoor or not, when to use face mask.
Table 1 : Health advisory by NEA in PSI for 24 hour averaged reading:
0 -50 Good
51-100 Moderate
101-200 Unhealthy
201-300 Very Unhealthy
above 300 Hazardous
Table 2 : Health advisory by NEA in ug/m3 for 1 hour averaged reading,
0-55 Normal
56-150 Elevated
151-250 High
above 250 Very High
Table 3 below is the previous descriptive reference from NEA website from past years which is no longer found in their current site :
Table 3:
Index Category PSI 24hrPM2.5 ug/m3
Good 0-50 0-12
Moderate 51-100 13-55
Unhealthy 101-200 56-150
Very Unhealthy 201-300 151-250
Hazardous above 301 above 251
As there is no safety limit given for 1 hr reading, we could take the unhealthy range level as 56 ug/m3 and above.
For the haze reading broadcast over TV provided by NEA, the 24 hr data is in PSI. But the 1 hr data does not have a unit a measurement attached to it - this may mislead the public into thinking it is in PSI. We can see from Table 3 - unhealthy level is at 56 ug/m3.
NEA is not helping the public as they could have easily converted the reading into PSI which the public is familiar with. They could have also used the same descriptive for both 24 and 1 hour data. Public may not understand that 'elevated' is 'unhealthy'.
NOTE :
1) US EPA adopts 35 ug/m3 as unhealthy limit for 24 hrs PM2.5 which is a more stringent standard than S'pore.
2) For real time 1 hourly data on haze please refer to : aqicn.org - which provides air pollution Air Quality Index (AQI) for more than 60 countries in the world. AQI descriptive :
NEA 24 hour average reading is in PSI. However NEA 1 hour average reading is in ug/m3.
S'pore official health advisory is based on 24 hours average PSI reading. For our personal health concern, we should base our activities on 1 hour real time reading ie to stay indoor or not, when to use face mask.
Table 1 : Health advisory by NEA in PSI for 24 hour averaged reading:
0 -50 Good
51-100 Moderate
101-200 Unhealthy
201-300 Very Unhealthy
above 300 Hazardous
Table 2 : Health advisory by NEA in ug/m3 for 1 hour averaged reading,
0-55 Normal
56-150 Elevated
151-250 High
above 250 Very High
Table 3 below is the previous descriptive reference from NEA website from past years which is no longer found in their current site :
Table 3:
Index Category PSI 24hrPM2.5 ug/m3
Good 0-50 0-12
Moderate 51-100 13-55
Unhealthy 101-200 56-150
Very Unhealthy 201-300 151-250
Hazardous above 301 above 251
As there is no safety limit given for 1 hr reading, we could take the unhealthy range level as 56 ug/m3 and above.
For the haze reading broadcast over TV provided by NEA, the 24 hr data is in PSI. But the 1 hr data does not have a unit a measurement attached to it - this may mislead the public into thinking it is in PSI. We can see from Table 3 - unhealthy level is at 56 ug/m3.
NEA is not helping the public as they could have easily converted the reading into PSI which the public is familiar with. They could have also used the same descriptive for both 24 and 1 hour data. Public may not understand that 'elevated' is 'unhealthy'.
NOTE :
1) US EPA adopts 35 ug/m3 as unhealthy limit for 24 hrs PM2.5 which is a more stringent standard than S'pore.
2) For real time 1 hourly data on haze please refer to : aqicn.org - which provides air pollution Air Quality Index (AQI) for more than 60 countries in the world. AQI descriptive :
0-50 Good
51-100 Moderate
101-150 Unhealthy
for sensitive groups
151-200 Unhealthy
201-300 Very
Unhealthy
301-500 Hazardous
Friday, July 26, 2019
Huawei running fake promotion or ...???
Did Huawei run a fake promotion for publicity gimmick ? Or was it a very badly planned and executed promotion ? If not how can handsets be sold out in some outlets even before they open for business on the very 1st day of the promotion ? Notice was put up to redirect customers to bigger outlet which either never even open for business or ran out of phones. Then police were call in due to the people lingering outside the store and for outlets with large crowd - safety became an issue.
Huawei ran a widely publicized promotion over media of their phone model Y6 Pro 2019 which is selling for $54 instead of the normal retail price of $198. This is to celebrate S'pore 54th national day and give recognition to seniors as only those age 50 and above are eligible.
It is also stated the each person can buy 2 sets. You can buy for an eligible senior as long as you have the his/her IC to show to the sale staff at the 27 concept stores and selected retailers. This promotion offer is to last for 3 days (26 to 28 Jul).
It is reported in the media that Huawei announced at 1130 that some of the stalls will be closed for safety reasons. It was also reported that only about 20 to 30 sets are available for the promotion for stores at Jewel, Vivo, Nex and Toa Payoh. While customer at Yishun was told only 10 sets available and was directed to North Point.
Looking at the timing of the announcement and the number of sets available - Huawei is neither sincere nor serious in their phone promotion . They are not new kids on the block but experience and should know what to expect if they run a promotional offer with large discount. It is very irresponsible of them to inconvenient the public and cause safety problem in public spaces due to large crowd gathering. As police were roped in at a few outlets - it only confirm how badly run was the promotion was.
Then they have the cheek to announce there is another promotion on Saturday for their Mate 20 at Challenger outlets. This is a more costly phone though also comes with large discount. So is this Y6 Pro 2019 publicity gimmick to pave the way for Mate 20 promotion ? It was said that the Mate 20 promotion is cancelled. Could it be due to police cautioning them of the public nuisance they have become ?
Huawei ran a widely publicized promotion over media of their phone model Y6 Pro 2019 which is selling for $54 instead of the normal retail price of $198. This is to celebrate S'pore 54th national day and give recognition to seniors as only those age 50 and above are eligible.
It is also stated the each person can buy 2 sets. You can buy for an eligible senior as long as you have the his/her IC to show to the sale staff at the 27 concept stores and selected retailers. This promotion offer is to last for 3 days (26 to 28 Jul).
It is reported in the media that Huawei announced at 1130 that some of the stalls will be closed for safety reasons. It was also reported that only about 20 to 30 sets are available for the promotion for stores at Jewel, Vivo, Nex and Toa Payoh. While customer at Yishun was told only 10 sets available and was directed to North Point.
Looking at the timing of the announcement and the number of sets available - Huawei is neither sincere nor serious in their phone promotion . They are not new kids on the block but experience and should know what to expect if they run a promotional offer with large discount. It is very irresponsible of them to inconvenient the public and cause safety problem in public spaces due to large crowd gathering. As police were roped in at a few outlets - it only confirm how badly run was the promotion was.
Then they have the cheek to announce there is another promotion on Saturday for their Mate 20 at Challenger outlets. This is a more costly phone though also comes with large discount. So is this Y6 Pro 2019 publicity gimmick to pave the way for Mate 20 promotion ? It was said that the Mate 20 promotion is cancelled. Could it be due to police cautioning them of the public nuisance they have become ?
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Culling of pigeons should be done humanely
The recent case of a pigeon culling video at Aljunied Hougang Town council, which ACRES described as "an outright case of cruelty" - is the common practice used by pest control companies engaged by all Town Councils in S'pore. Culling is normally done regularly every 3 months.
AVS (formally AVA) is well aware of the method employed as they are the one who approved this inhumane and cruel method of culling pigeons. SPCA is aware of it too but they believe AVS is working towards a more humane way of culling. Unfortunately - their 'belief' never materialised as AVS sticks to this low cost quick fixes which they claimed is 'effective'. I thought ACRES is aware too - after all this bad practice has being going on for more than a decade with little result in controlling the pigeon population. This itself is evident that the method is NOT effective.
We understand the need to control the pigeon population in housing
estate, but a more humane method should be used. It is very cruel to have them suffered so much pain first by
poisoning then suffocation while being culled. It is extremely disturbing to see poisoned pigeons
falling off ledges. Most of birds though unable to fly are still alive when they
are
thrown into bags.
Those pigeons that did not ingest sufficient poison food,
flew off and we often see dead birds the next two days at various blocks. If
the cleaners do not spot them, the carcass will pose a hygiene problem.
AVS has tested out contraceptive feed method to
reduce pigeon population at a mosque and a temple as I recalled for around 3 to 5 years. However AVS seems hesitant to implement it as it is more costly. This method has been found to be effective in other countries.
Sterilization of stray cats has been very effective, thus
contraceptive method on pigeons would likely see fruitful results, which years
of ruthless poison plus suffocation culling has not.
We are a developed nation, we should stop such cruel
culling. Besides the current method
contradicts the spirit of the law of cruelty against animals. It also
goes against our national kindness movement and compassion teaching in various
religions.
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Marine Parade TC committed an offence under cruelty to animal
Pet abandonment is considered as cruelty. Thus, if a owner who abandon and release his/her pet at a food center - he/she is deemed to have committed an offence under the law and could be fined up to 15,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 18 months.
The recent case where Marine Parade Town Council (MPTC) gave instruction to abduct/steal 2 cats from a resident, Mdm Tan and later abandoned them by releasing them at Harbour Front food center is an OFFENCE. It is pet abandonment - only the offence is committed not by the owner but by MPTC. One of the cat has been found dead. The other still missing, the likelihood of it being also dead is high.
MPTC has committed a very cruel act to both the pet cats and their owner. The cats are dependent on their owner for food and shelter, they must have suffered unimaginable distress to be abandoned at an unfamiliar place and left to fend for themselves. Mdm Tan suffers mental agony of not knowing what happen to her pets. She has been searching high and low for her cats for more than 3 weeks. MPTC has made matter worst for Mdm Tan by being evasive and not telling her initially what they have done to her cats.
Animal cruelty is an offence - thus MPTC should be answerable to the law. The Town Council has abused their power by removing the 2 cats without informing the owner or obtaining her consent. They even took Mdm Tan's cage for their abduction. This is stealing both cage and cats while the owner is not at home !!
The recent case where Marine Parade Town Council (MPTC) gave instruction to abduct/steal 2 cats from a resident, Mdm Tan and later abandoned them by releasing them at Harbour Front food center is an OFFENCE. It is pet abandonment - only the offence is committed not by the owner but by MPTC. One of the cat has been found dead. The other still missing, the likelihood of it being also dead is high.
MPTC has committed a very cruel act to both the pet cats and their owner. The cats are dependent on their owner for food and shelter, they must have suffered unimaginable distress to be abandoned at an unfamiliar place and left to fend for themselves. Mdm Tan suffers mental agony of not knowing what happen to her pets. She has been searching high and low for her cats for more than 3 weeks. MPTC has made matter worst for Mdm Tan by being evasive and not telling her initially what they have done to her cats.
Animal cruelty is an offence - thus MPTC should be answerable to the law. The Town Council has abused their power by removing the 2 cats without informing the owner or obtaining her consent. They even took Mdm Tan's cage for their abduction. This is stealing both cage and cats while the owner is not at home !!
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