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Exemption from Singapore NS on Medical Grounds

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PHK
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Exemption from Singapore NS on Medical Grounds

Post by PHK » Sat, 16 Feb 2013 6:49 pm

Our son is only 10 years old, a dual citizen, and liable for Singapore NS.

Recently our son went though major surgery at KK Women's & Children's Hospital for an ailment. He has missed more then 3 weeks of school and the surgeon told us at discharge that with reference to being able to lead a normal life that he would not be elegible for BMT and would likely be downgraded for NS.

My questions are as follows:

1. What does downgraded mean? If someone is unfit, why not exempt them from Singapore NS totally (regardless that he is a dual citizen)

2. Our child may still require more sugeries as his body devolps, what happens when the NS letter comes, what do we do?

Be mindful I am NOT trying to get my child intentionally out of Singapore NS, the emotional toll my family has recently expereinced is NOT worth it just to get out of NS, I don't know where else to go get thsi information, it is his whole life in front of him.

Thank you for your time.

therat
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Post by therat » Sat, 16 Feb 2013 7:24 pm

NS men has Physical Employment Status (PES) A to F to grade their physical.

Downgrade mean, he will not be on the field but still will be doing his NS at the back end support like clerk or store men.

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Post by PHK » Sat, 16 Feb 2013 7:44 pm

Thank you so much for your reply sir.

What happens while serving NS if he needs medical tratement / surgery, willl they pay for it or is it the parents on the hook again?

How do they work the healthcare in NS anyway please?

therat
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Post by therat » Sat, 16 Feb 2013 8:32 pm

I cannot answer on your question.
I am not NS men.
I only know if they injure during the training, Army will paid for it. Base on what happen to my brother and cousin.
But your son is different. I had no idea on this.

[edit to add on this]
I recall, one of my game mate got exempted from army due to epilepsy, his condition quite serious. Any time, the epilepsy can happen.

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Sat, 16 Feb 2013 8:47 pm

If it happens while he is doing his NS the nickle is on the gahment not the NS man, but he will have to go through military channels and not just head to the local clinic when he's off duty.
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by PHK » Sat, 16 Feb 2013 9:41 pm

Thank you so much gentlemen. Take care!

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taxico
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Re: Exemption from Singapore NS on Medical Grounds

Post by taxico » Sat, 16 Feb 2013 11:01 pm

PHK wrote:1... If someone is unfit, why not exempt them from Singapore NS totally (regardless that he is a dual citizen)

2. Our child may still require more sugeries as his body devolps, what happens when the NS letter comes, what do we do?

...is NOT worth it just to get out of NS, I don't know where else to go get thsi information...
1. because he is young now, and his condition may deteriorate or improve as he grows. there is no point in exempting someone from NS until the time comes for his pre-enlistment medical checkup (near 18 years old).

further, it is standard protocol for military doctors to decide if a pre-enlistee should be exempted or downgraded.

2. you will ask your son to bring all relevant medical reports and films to the said check-up. his enlistment will likely be deferred from the original set date (internally assigned) while a decision is made.

don't worry too much. the system is quite fair. more information can be found here:

http://www.ns.sg/cs/content/eServices/m ... entre.html

if the panel of doctors are unable to decide what to do with him, they may send him (on the government's dime) to specialist(s) located in public hospitals before making a final decision.

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Post by taxico » Sat, 16 Feb 2013 11:11 pm

PHK wrote:...What happens while serving NS if he needs medical tratement / surgery, willl they pay for it or is it the parents on the hook again?

How do they work the healthcare in NS anyway please?
all national servicemen have free healthcare so long as they visit public hospitals/polyclinics or report to the on-duty medical officer (eg, at the assigned military medical centre).

every day, all NSF/NS men are allowed to "report sick" and they will be sent to the unit MO. if your son is not in-unit (eg, over the weekend), he can head to a nearby public hospital's A&E/walk-in clinic.

he is free to visit a private clinic/hospital if he's not within unit grounds but will not get the charges reimbursed. if he's on unit grounds, he would be expected to visit the unit MO (on duty 24/7).

his NS identity card will have all charges waived. please do not expect "A" ward-level hospitalization privileges/benefits.

if he is injured while serving NS, eg (knock on wood) he falls and hurts his back while on duty chasing after someone trying to steal armament and this causes long term "pain and suffering", he should get paperwork attesting to such. then in future, all visits to public healthcare institutions for treatment/consultation related that injury will be covered by the SAF.

additionally, the SAF actually has a good group insurance scheme your son SHOULD sign up for IMO, and keep paying for even after NS (again, IMO).

the NS healthcare system works as such: if an NSF needs medical or dental treatment, the government will cover it (CARE FOR SOLDIER!), but only as a subsidized (not private) patient.

thus if your son is seriously ill, so much so that it is likely it will cost the SAF lots of money to treat, there is no reason why the medical doctors will choose to classify and deploy him inappropriately...

and of course there are repercussions on the part of the MOs who do so.

all MOs, whether uniformed or a civilian contracted to the unit (common in some SCDF/SPF units), are fully qualified and registered medical doctors with at least 1 year of experience as an intern/houseman.

they are equivalent to your local GP, albeit usually a young one.

they are empowered by vocation and/or rank to ensure your son's superiors abide by their medical instructions. eg, bed rest.

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Post by Mad Scientist » Sun, 17 Feb 2013 6:01 pm

@PHK
I will add on what Taxico has stated
To downgrade will be determine only when he is call up for his pre NS check up
During my time male child is classified into a few categories
Pes A " Full Fit i.e Combat Vocation 45 to 60
Pes B : Combat Vocation Pes 35 to 45
Pes C : unfit and will be review to be upgraded :Admin and Clerical
Pes D : permanent unfit Admin work
Pes E: Out of NS liabilities

Unless your child is Pes E then he still need to serve NS
Pes C soldier can be upgraded if found suitable and fit
Keep all his records on his medical issues
make sure you have local hospital letters stating his conditions
From past experience anything to do with five vital organs, you will be downgraded
Dual citizenship has no part in this, he still has to renounce at 21 whether he needs to serve NS or not
If he is not required to serve NS, MINDEF must provide release letter
At this point of time , there is no point worrying about it
The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.Yahoo !!!

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Post by PHK » Mon, 18 Feb 2013 8:00 pm

Thank you all for your information...

My son want's to get fully better, qualify for OCS, and become a Pilot.

No one is looking for the downgrade, it's a life time you know... good night!

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taxico
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Post by taxico » Mon, 18 Feb 2013 9:47 pm

he does not need to qualify for OCS to become a pilot.

he needs to qualify to become a trainee pilot (and chosen to attend flight schools) and he'll go through OCS easily as part of pilot training.

i wish him the best of health and a speedy recovery. with advancement in medicine, 8 years may be more than enough for him to fulfill his dreams.

he needs to be 16 to obtain his student pilot license. i started preparing (studying) for it when i was 14.

BUT let it be known that RSAF enjoys dangling the "you could be a pilot!" carrot during NS as an inducement for qualified dual-citizenship candidates to give up their foreign citizenships.

needless to say, many come back after a few weeks after being posted to australia.

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Post by FnTank » Sat, 23 Feb 2013 1:06 pm

Also, a downgrade is not permanent - in some cases, the Medical Board may give a temporary downgrade, which will be reviewed towards the end of the term given.

If all else fails, he may also see the MO(Medical Officer) directly and ask to be upgraded. (I did hear one of my commanders share that he first enlisted as a Clerk, then subsequently sought an upgrade and is now an Officer.)

It's just that, for most, getting a permanent downgrade is considered a "blessing" and they will not go out of their way to seek a medical review for an upgrade.

But if your son has specific aspirations and is particularly motivated to pursue them, and he can get well enough that doctors will certify him fit, then I am sure SAF will be more than happy to give him the upgrade.

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