Newspaper Review 3

Date of article: 18 December 2008
Title: Medifund kitty increased to help poor
Section: Straits times (prime.news -A4)
Overview of article: Expecting a substantial increase in requests for medical finance aid this year, the Health Ministry has upped the money for a government health safety net for the really poor by more than $23 million. It appears that many patients already know where to seek help.Medical social workers of the National University Hospital said she has seen treble the numbers of "walk-ins", or people who seek financial help on their own,over the past few months. Medifund is given only to patients who,even with the help of their families, are unable to pay the bills.

Thoughts:
Singapore Health Ministry has been doing their best to help the sick and poor patients by providing subsidies on their hospital bills, for example, medishield, medifund and elder care. A few weeks ago, many singaporeans suffered great loss after the US economy breakdown and there is an increase number of people applying for help in hospital fees, had made the ministry to fork out more money this year to help the needy ones to overcome the crisis. This shows the efficiency of our singapore government to be able to resolve problems faced by the citizens and to reduce the plight for the poors and sick. I believe with the help of these subsidies, many poors are able to live off better.
By: Liang Yueh