Every Singaporeans have committed and contributions to our nation

The recently incident of the death of full—time National Serviceman Joe Foo Wei Rong. He had been given medical leave two days from the Singapore General Hospital.

The Defence Ministry said that at about 6.05am, Private Joe Foo Wei Rong, from the 4th Singapore Infantry Regiment, was in the midst of his seventh chin—up, being assisted by a buddy, when he collapsed.

At 6.40am, he was evacuated to Tengah Medical Centre in an ambulance about 10 minutes away where doctors continued medical attention.

Private Foo was then taken to the National University Hospital and arrived at 7.45am.
He was pronounced dead at 8.28am.

The Defence Ministry said in a statement on Thursday that a medical certificate dated September 28 was found in Private Foo’s personal bunk cupboard after his death. The medical centre had no documentation of his medical certificate.

The Defence Ministry said that he was supposed to rest from September 28 to 29 for "sprains and strains of the knee and leg", and to be given light duties for the subsequent four days. It is not known why Private Foo did not report his medical condition, but investigations are currently underway and a full report is expected in eight weeks.

Two other servicemen died during training in June this year, recruit Andrew Cheah fainted during a 2—kilometre walk and Officer Cadet Clifton Lam collapsed during training in Brunei. Private Foo is the third full—time National Serviceman to have died in camp this year.

Chairperson of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs Indranee Rajah, who is also the MP of Tanjong Pagar GRC, said: "Obviously it needs to be studied more deeply and carefully, but to me, it does seem to me that before anybody goes in for NS, the preconditioning is important.

"And as far as possible, from secondary school, all the way to the time they enter National Service for BMT (Basic Military Training), it’s important that the levels of fitness should be maintained."

The polytechnics that were contacted said they have many sporting activities in place for students.
Singapore Polytechnic says an estimated 15 per cent of total student population take part in sports. Half of its 2007 graduating cohort sat for the National Physical Fitness Award tests, an increase from 35 per cent in the previous year.

The government claim that all three were former students at polytechnics where physical activities are not compulsory, unlike junior colleges where exercise is part of the curriculum.

Hum...I really wonder why they took so long to send him to the hospital. However, I felt that the government should pay respect to the death and their family, instead of pushing the blames to the polytechnics or arrow here and there. No doubts, school has always been promoting studies in order for students to be graduate. So that the students will have a better opportunity in future. Pin-pointing can't solve the roots of it problems.

I believe that every Singaporeans have committed and contributions to our nation. Enforcement of NS, specially for males, we has participate ourselves in the 2years NS and following reserves.

When the moment step into the society, we need to contribute with our earning to all the taxes, 7%GST, Income Tax, CPF, etc.. so on.. to the wealth of our nation. Somehow, I just don't understand why our government has always demand so much from fellow citizens.