The Healthcare Debate Posted on 21st Apr 2013, 4:14pm by admin

With the greying population and rising expectations and aspirations of Singaporeans, there is increasing debate on how our healthcare system should be and solutions to the perceived problems of the system. Many experiences from both patients and families as well as healthcare workers have been related over multiple media platforms such as in print, online, and various forums and talks.

But all this begets the real question-> What exactly does one mean by a person’s ‘health’?

To an elderly patient with many chronic illnesses, being healthy might mean his illnesses being managed to a point where a reasonable quality of life is assured to see out his golden years.

To some of our young, well-heeled Gen Y-ers, the concept of health also includes the need to ‘look good’ or attractive and hence they think that ‘aesthetic medicine’ is required, as part of the doctors efforts should be geared to improve their client’s visual appeal and wellness.

To a proportion of the fairer-sex in our population, having the right to abortion and the right to use contraceptive medication or devices is a right enshrined in being human, hence, our healthcare and healthcare finance should be geared to facilitate this. To other so called more ‘religious’ or conservative members of our population, abortion and contraception are ‘crimes’ which healthcare professionals should never condone.

Importantly also, the perception of ‘healthcare’ to many patients often involves adequate displays of ‘tender loving care’ and hence they do love doctors and health professionals that spend their time actually talking to them.

To the busy doctors and health professionals, pursuing healthcare may imply the application of ‘standard of care’ treatments and protocols to as many patients as the system allows.

Indeed, defining what health means is important, for it determines how the authorities channel their resources, especially monetary ones, to achieve the various aims of health as it perceives and would no doubt influences the thoughts and actions of all healthcare professionals in it. It also determines the number of patients hospital allows each doctor to see, how much time actually goes into the consult and the list goes on.

In conclusion, there should be more debate on what constitutes a person’s health because this would determine how the healthcare system is structured and services delivered. And no doubt, this debate would be shaped by the culture, values, religious beliefs of the society at large.