Sheesh, it is not the kind of report that inspires confidence in our medical system. All foreign doctors are supposed to be assessed in English by a panel for their clinical competence. Additionally, doctors from China have to pass two English tests, one for clinical and one for language proficiency. The type of doctors who were cleared to practise in our hospitals:
Clinical proficient-
Dr Li Wei Shan saw patients with dengue fever for the first time in his life here at Singapore General Hospital, presumably nobody has mosquito bites in China. He is obviously not one of those Long March veterans who trekked through eleven provinces, over raging rivers and snow-capped mountain ranges, through insect-infested swamps and forests. The 30-year old from Peking First University had to bone up on more then dengue: "I bought textbooks to find out more about local diseases."
Language proficient -
Dr Feng Jue-fei (Tan Tock Seng Hospital) thought his patient wanted to know why the surgical procedure was necessary, when the articulated request was to see the senior doctor in charge. Says he, "In China, the working language is Chinese. Here, we have to learn how to write medical records in English; how to present cases in English; how to update the family in English. It's a little bit difficult, I think." Oh, we get it, his application work to in Singapore was probably written by an English proficient agent. Feng is among the first batch of 23 doctors recruited from China.
A Ministry of Health said its first priority in increasing manpower supply is to attract overseas trained Singaporean doctors to practise here, implying that those who have left will need some persuasive effort to come home.
In his National Day Rally 2011 speech, PM Lee revealed that in the medical school here at NUS, only 300 places for medical students are allocated, when there are 2,000 students applying to study medicine. "All of them have outstanding results: three As, four As, CCA, secondment, internship, all sorts, whatever is necessary to improve their chances, they have done it," Lee said. Thanks to his crafting of Government policy, these proficient candidates have to pursue their dreams offshore, biting off a huge chunk of their parents' life savings, and sacrificing family ties for an extended separation. Gratitude for a nation that turfed them out must figure significantly in their minds.
The data released by the National Population and Talent Division missed out on one important set of figures. The number of Singaporeans leaving the country, hoping never to have to return. Some folks who sold off their property to finance their children's tertiary education abroad may have done their own astute forward planning. Once their kids enter the workforce in a overseas country, there is the likelihood of being sponsored over for a Green Card or equivalent. It's a long bet, but the odds have to be better than that at Marina Bay Sands, or with the policy and politics entrenched by current regime.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Drawing The Line For Decency
The huge ad covering the entire window of its new store has been in place since April. A&F obviously took maximum advantage of the election fever to sneak in the suggestive picture. The brand name that enthralled the electorate then was Kate Spade. They could have used some of their more explicit illustrations and still not raise an eyebrow. Following 7 May, Singaporeans had to contend with another election, this time trying to tell one Tan (as in the surname, not being bronzed under the sun) from another. Finally, after the ebb of all the excitement, someone noticed the guy with his plumbing equipment threatening to hang out for all of Orchard Road to gawk at.
Apparently the A&F ad was put up by the brand itself, and no local ad agency or production house was involved - or made any money from it. Smart move. It also meant ASAS is rendered impotent to take any action since the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice governing decency applies only to local ad agencies. As a foreigner, it would appear A&F is free to push the envelope with its racy marketing photography by Bruce Weber, characterised by grayscale images and features outdoor settings, usually with semi-nude males and females.
ASAS is now looking for help from the government to remove the ad. Media and entertainment lawyer Seow said only government agencies such as the Media Development Authority (MDA), with the authority vested by the Undesirable Publications Act, are allowed to remove it if it finds that the photographic image exploits human nudity. Chapter 338 draws the line for indecency:
Meaning of obscene
3. For the purposes of this Act, a publication is obscene if its effect or (where the publication comprises 2 or more distinct parts or items) the effect of any one of its parts or items is, if taken as a whole, such as to tend to deprave and corrupt persons who are likely, having regard to all relevant circumstances, to read, see or hear the matter contained or embodied in it.
MDA or the Minister in charge appears to be conveniently incommunicado when queried by the press for their stand. Maybe they too busy tending to another PR headache with the image of Vivian Balakrishnan in close proximity with a cross-dressing gay at his/her coming out celebration. You bet that's gonna deprave and corrupt some person.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
When Will They Ever Learn
According to this Bloomberg report, Government of Singapore Investment Corp (GIC) faces a potential loss of 6.7 billion Swiss franc (US$7.4 billion) by virtue of being the biggest investor in UBS, making it one of the most unprofitable banking investment since 2007. In 2Q 2009, the Bank of America "divestment" by Temasek Holdings lost US$1 billion in just one deal (188.8 million BOA shares valued at US$13.7 each sold at an average US$8.67 per share). When these guys make a boo boo, they make sure it generates more publicity than the F1 night race.
UBS chief executive Oswald Gruebel was earlier reported to be under pressure to step down after a rogue trader trashed US$2.3 billion (S$3 billion), less than half of what GIC stands to lose. When Gruebel finally quit on Saturday, 10 days after the trading scandal was exposed, he stressed it was a personal decision and that he was personally accountable for the loss. “I am convinced that it is in the best interests of UBS to approach the future with a new leader at the top.”
Nobody at GIC seems to feel personally accountable for their losses. As a matter of fact, the former chairman has just been rewarded with a $4 payola.
When Nick Leeson broke the Barings Bank, the international community was aghast that it happened under the supposedly strict supervision of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Like the former derivatives broker whose fraudulent, unauthorized speculative trading caused the collapse of the United Kingdom's oldest investment bank, Kweku Adoboli also engaged in unauthorised trades in his role as part of UBS's so-called Delta One trading team, which deals in Exchange Traded Funds. Both Leeson and Adoboli placed big bets on future movements in stock-market indices. Leeson used one of Barings' error accounts to cover up bad trades, Adoboli hid the size of his bets by the manufacture of fictitious offsetting investments. The similarities are uncanny.
The Financial Services Authority, the equivalent of our MAS, is investigating why UBS failed to identify the unauthorised transactions that the bank says will generate the humongous US$2.3 billion loss. GIC, which has a 6.41 per cent stake in UBS, had repeatedly expressed its support for outgoing chief executive Oswald Gruebel, according to a Reuters report. The worrying aspect of this sorry saga is that while Leeson left only a black-eye on MAS, the UBS debacle is hurting us where it counts - our hard earned sovereign funds. And the guy in charge of protecting our reserves won't be telling us much about other potential disasters because he claims to be bound by the Official Secrets Act. "GIC believed he had good plans," said one source, a remark that is hardly assuring, since Thaksin was also considered be a good bet by the same people playing with the nation's savings.
UBS chief executive Oswald Gruebel was earlier reported to be under pressure to step down after a rogue trader trashed US$2.3 billion (S$3 billion), less than half of what GIC stands to lose. When Gruebel finally quit on Saturday, 10 days after the trading scandal was exposed, he stressed it was a personal decision and that he was personally accountable for the loss. “I am convinced that it is in the best interests of UBS to approach the future with a new leader at the top.”
Nobody at GIC seems to feel personally accountable for their losses. As a matter of fact, the former chairman has just been rewarded with a $4 payola.
When Nick Leeson broke the Barings Bank, the international community was aghast that it happened under the supposedly strict supervision of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Like the former derivatives broker whose fraudulent, unauthorized speculative trading caused the collapse of the United Kingdom's oldest investment bank, Kweku Adoboli also engaged in unauthorised trades in his role as part of UBS's so-called Delta One trading team, which deals in Exchange Traded Funds. Both Leeson and Adoboli placed big bets on future movements in stock-market indices. Leeson used one of Barings' error accounts to cover up bad trades, Adoboli hid the size of his bets by the manufacture of fictitious offsetting investments. The similarities are uncanny.
The Financial Services Authority, the equivalent of our MAS, is investigating why UBS failed to identify the unauthorised transactions that the bank says will generate the humongous US$2.3 billion loss. GIC, which has a 6.41 per cent stake in UBS, had repeatedly expressed its support for outgoing chief executive Oswald Gruebel, according to a Reuters report. The worrying aspect of this sorry saga is that while Leeson left only a black-eye on MAS, the UBS debacle is hurting us where it counts - our hard earned sovereign funds. And the guy in charge of protecting our reserves won't be telling us much about other potential disasters because he claims to be bound by the Official Secrets Act. "GIC believed he had good plans," said one source, a remark that is hardly assuring, since Thaksin was also considered be a good bet by the same people playing with the nation's savings.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
F1 Takes Your Breath, And Money, Away
Last year, the F1 Night Race pulled in incremental tourism receipts of $160 million. This year the Singapore Tourism Board expects only $100 million. Gold is already losing its lustre amidst the uncertainty plaguing the global economy, with all signs pointing at 2012 as a possible annus horribilis. It is a no brainer that Second Minister for Trade and Industry S Iswaran said Singapore will not rush into a decision to extend the F1 contract for another 5 years. Somewhere hidden in the overdue accounting is the loss in retail revenue due to the Marina Bay area road closures, and opportunity cost of business interruption and traffic congestion. It's time they stop hearing only the good stuff, especially from the ones who really profit from the exercise.
Just listen to Melbourne's Lord Mayor Robert Doyle who unleashed a stinging attack on the grand prix in the Sunday Herald Sun, warning that annual losses would soon hit the $70 million AUD mark and stating that the event no longer represents value for money for Victoria's state government. He contends that for taxpayers' pockets, enough is enough and that patience with F1's escalating financial demands is wearing thin.
“First, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone will pick up his bat and ball and go home,” mused Mr. Doyle. “Despite best endeavours, the notoriously difficult, contentious and cranky Bernie will take the dollars of either an Asian or oil-rich Middle Eastern state. There will be no successful negotiation. End of story."
According to Time Magazine ("Turbulent Times Of Formula One", 15 March 2010), Ecclestone alone makes the big TV, sponsorship and track deals that keep F1's cash gushing. It is no secret that Ecclestone the Hitler fan ( "could command a lot of people" and was "able to get things done" ), is the only one guaranteed to make a killing from the F1 races. Formula Money, the book which reviews Formula 1's financials, records this: "In 2008, its first year, the race took in $51 million, but cost $100 million. The (Singapore) government kicked in $60 million, leaving the promoter with a tidy profit."
Obviously Iswaran is no Doyle, and he's hiring independent consultants to take a hard look at (and take the fall for) the value of the F1 race in terms of tourist dollar and economic spin-offs. The Minister is not about to stick his neck out for the inconvenient truth when the old geezers are having so much fun at the taxpayers' expense.
Just listen to Melbourne's Lord Mayor Robert Doyle who unleashed a stinging attack on the grand prix in the Sunday Herald Sun, warning that annual losses would soon hit the $70 million AUD mark and stating that the event no longer represents value for money for Victoria's state government. He contends that for taxpayers' pockets, enough is enough and that patience with F1's escalating financial demands is wearing thin.
“First, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone will pick up his bat and ball and go home,” mused Mr. Doyle. “Despite best endeavours, the notoriously difficult, contentious and cranky Bernie will take the dollars of either an Asian or oil-rich Middle Eastern state. There will be no successful negotiation. End of story."
According to Time Magazine ("Turbulent Times Of Formula One", 15 March 2010), Ecclestone alone makes the big TV, sponsorship and track deals that keep F1's cash gushing. It is no secret that Ecclestone the Hitler fan ( "could command a lot of people" and was "able to get things done" ), is the only one guaranteed to make a killing from the F1 races. Formula Money, the book which reviews Formula 1's financials, records this: "In 2008, its first year, the race took in $51 million, but cost $100 million. The (Singapore) government kicked in $60 million, leaving the promoter with a tidy profit."
Obviously Iswaran is no Doyle, and he's hiring independent consultants to take a hard look at (and take the fall for) the value of the F1 race in terms of tourist dollar and economic spin-offs. The Minister is not about to stick his neck out for the inconvenient truth when the old geezers are having so much fun at the taxpayers' expense.
 |
| "could command a lot of people" and "able to get things done" |
Monday, September 26, 2011
Reports Of Violence In The City
She was body slammed against the doors of a SBS bus by a Caucasian male who later told the police that she was talking too loudly on the phone and making a lot of noise. All the working mother did was to make a call to her daughter, informing the kid that mom will be home late because of the traffic situation. Her bus bully tapped her on the shoulder, told her to shut up, let fly with the profanities, and challenged her to call the cops if she dared. She did.
Apparently the tiniest sounds can trigger irrational rage in some sick people. Dr. Pawel Jastreboff introduced the term misophonia in 2002, and this is the most common term for this malady. Dr Masha Johnson, an audiologist in Portland, Oregon runs an online forum on misophonia ("dislike of sound"). For people with misophonia, gum chewing, lip smacking, swallowing, slurping and gurgling can send them into a blood-boiling rage. "The reaction is irrational," said Adah Siganoff, 52, but yet she can no longer eat with her husband.
A neuroscientist at the University of Texas believes the condition is probably a "physiological abnormality" in brain structures activated by processed sound, "There is no known effective treatment." Johnson said misophonia is sometimes confused with hyperacusis, in which sound is perceived to be abnormally loud or physically painful. Misophonia patients like sound, the louder the better. But some can't stand a dog licking his paws, the common soft, hardly audible sounds that irritate them most.
But how does one explain the action of the Caucasian Bentley owner smashing with his bare fist the windscreen of a Mercedes-Benz driven by a lady who had allegedly cut into his lane? The top executive at Royal Bank of Scotland overtook her, stopped, got out of his limousine and started shouting like Bruce Banner ("Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry"), adding two punches to the shatter-proof glass for good measure. No arrest has been made. In another road rage incident, angry motorist Ong slammed his clenched fist against the windscreen of dentist Dr Ho who had honked at him for stopping his vehicle at a pedestrian crossing to let his daughter alight for school. The cracks cost $1,391 to repair and Ong was fined $4,000 for mischief. He could have been jailed for up to 2 years and/or fined.
With or without a medical explanation, no one should be at the receiving end of a violent outburst. But when it does occur, and the cops turn did up, it must be infuriating to read that "both parties were advised on their legal recourse." Maybe the law enforcement types have a graph that trends resolved incidents of violence, and unresolved incidents of violence, just like the CNB charts. And an IT system ready to take the rap when peace is not preserved in the city.
Ms Lim, the working mom who was physically attacked in public, intends to press charges, saying: "We need to send a signal that we will not tolerate bullying on the bus." That plus the police's selective inaction.
Apparently the tiniest sounds can trigger irrational rage in some sick people. Dr. Pawel Jastreboff introduced the term misophonia in 2002, and this is the most common term for this malady. Dr Masha Johnson, an audiologist in Portland, Oregon runs an online forum on misophonia ("dislike of sound"). For people with misophonia, gum chewing, lip smacking, swallowing, slurping and gurgling can send them into a blood-boiling rage. "The reaction is irrational," said Adah Siganoff, 52, but yet she can no longer eat with her husband.
A neuroscientist at the University of Texas believes the condition is probably a "physiological abnormality" in brain structures activated by processed sound, "There is no known effective treatment." Johnson said misophonia is sometimes confused with hyperacusis, in which sound is perceived to be abnormally loud or physically painful. Misophonia patients like sound, the louder the better. But some can't stand a dog licking his paws, the common soft, hardly audible sounds that irritate them most.
But how does one explain the action of the Caucasian Bentley owner smashing with his bare fist the windscreen of a Mercedes-Benz driven by a lady who had allegedly cut into his lane? The top executive at Royal Bank of Scotland overtook her, stopped, got out of his limousine and started shouting like Bruce Banner ("Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like me when I'm angry"), adding two punches to the shatter-proof glass for good measure. No arrest has been made. In another road rage incident, angry motorist Ong slammed his clenched fist against the windscreen of dentist Dr Ho who had honked at him for stopping his vehicle at a pedestrian crossing to let his daughter alight for school. The cracks cost $1,391 to repair and Ong was fined $4,000 for mischief. He could have been jailed for up to 2 years and/or fined.
With or without a medical explanation, no one should be at the receiving end of a violent outburst. But when it does occur, and the cops turn did up, it must be infuriating to read that "both parties were advised on their legal recourse." Maybe the law enforcement types have a graph that trends resolved incidents of violence, and unresolved incidents of violence, just like the CNB charts. And an IT system ready to take the rap when peace is not preserved in the city.
Ms Lim, the working mom who was physically attacked in public, intends to press charges, saying: "We need to send a signal that we will not tolerate bullying on the bus." That plus the police's selective inaction.
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