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.
Quality of Life, Self-Esteem, and Future Expectations of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors.
Significant advancements in treatment modalities over the past few decades have significantly improved the survival rates of many types of childhood cancer, directing attention to the psychosocial consequences of successful treatment and subsequent survival. This study assesses quality of life (QoL) among survivors of childhood cancer. Data were collected by means of a survey questionnaire. Participants were assured of confidentiality and of the voluntary nature of participation. Participants ranged in age from 12 to 24 years (mean age = 17.2); 62 percent were male; 45.6 percent were in secondary grades (middle school or high school). Results showed that among the QoL domains, spiritual subscale ranked highest, and physical domain showed the lowest mean score. Self-esteem emerged as an important predictor for social domain of QoL. Cancer-specific worry emerged as a significant predictor for overall QoL. The findings suggest that survivors rated high on positive life changes and sense of purpose, which are associated with positive QoL. However, this was tempered by worries and uncertainty. This study provides seminal information on the psychosocial needs of childhood cancer survivors in an Asian context that can be used by health care professionals and providers to further promote support and health care following treatment.
Beyond the developmental state : East Asia's political economies reconsidered
List of Tables - List of Figures - List of Acronyms - Notes on the Contributors - Looking Beyond the Developmental State S.Chan, C.Clark & D.Lam - Networks, Politics and Institutions C-I.Moon & R.Prasad - Market, State and Society in Asian Development C.Clark & S.Chan - More than the Market, More than the State: Global Commodity Chains and Industrial Upgrading in East Asia G.Gereffi - Peace by Pieces: Mainland-Taiwan Transaction Flows S.Chan - Privatization Within the Chinese State C-T.Kuo - Private Governance in Taiwan C-T.Kuo - Presidential Leadership for Technological Developments in Korea S.D.Hahm & L.C.Plein - Japan's Model of Economic Development: Will It Work in the Future? W.Boulton - The Cultural Roots of 'Guerilla Capitalism' in Taiwan D.Lam & C.Clark - The Structure and Spirit of Development in Rural Taiwan I.Skoggard - Elites and Regimes in Comparative Perspective: Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia W.Case - References - Index