Meeting healthcare costs: the case of childhood cancer in Singapore
Social security in Singapore is met by a compulsory personal savings scheme under the Central Provident Fund. Part of these savings go towards the individual's healthcare needs which are met through a spectrum of three schemes – Medisave, Medishield and Medifund, or the ‘3Ms’. This study examines the effectiveness of the ‘3Ms’ in making healthcare services affordable to families with cancer-stricken children. The extent to which the ‘3Ms’ support costly cancer treatment is an indication of the healthcare financing system's ability to meet diverse healthcare needs. Literature research and interviews with medical social workers and families with cancer-stricken children indicate that the ‘3Ms’ are unable to support these families’ medical needs without the help of voluntary welfare organisations. This suggests that there is a need to question a rigid adherence to financial prudence and consider a more flexible healthcare system that is responsive to varied needs.
Social Welfare in Singapore and Sweden: Differences in Organisational Systems of Health Care, Social Security and Rehabilitation
Abstract The aim of the study is to describe and compare the health care, social security and rehabilitation systems in Singapore and Sweden. Two fundamental differences can be identified. First, the system in Singapore are strongly oriented towards a free market system, while Sweden's demonstrates strong public control. Second, following from how the systems are oriented, Singaporeans are expected to have a higher degree of independence and control over their health care, social security and rehabilitation. It appears that Singapore has had greater success in attaining and maintaining a system of health promotion, which influences the three systems. However, the Swedish welfare system provides greater security to those who are in need of health care, social security and rehabilitation.
Suppressed Light Emission of the Reaction Zone in Detonation
THE detonation of high explosives in water can be photographed with an open camera and a flash light as the explosive gases do not emit light. The method has been used1 to investigate the spread of shock waves and explosive gases, and to investigate the initiation by shock waves2. We have found that it can be used also in certain gases such as butane and propane. The method is not suitable, on the other hand, for explosives with two levels of detonation velocity in the case of low velocity. A great part of the reaction then occurs after the reaction zone has passed and the expanding explosive gases are very luminous even in water.