Located in the west and closest to several dormitories, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital is one where many migrant workers are treated.

At TWC2’s Cuff Road Project, we see a lot of workers with work injuries. Unavoidably, they have to make visits to hospitals. We ask a volunteer to speak to a few of them to find out what their experiences have been. Are they treated promptly? With respect and sensitivity?

I speak with three men who have had to make visits to hospitals and am heartened to hear that they had positive encounters in receiving their treatment. They spoke well of their interaction with staff, and going about big-ticket payments, albeit that the latter is more about employers’ responsibilities.

Silver (not his real name) shared that having his good friend accompany him made the treatment process efficient and smooth. When the workplace accident happened at about 9pm, Silver’s boss booked a Grab to the hospital. The initial checks were fast, and his shoulder and finger were promptly X-rayed. The nurses guided him, and the doctors were dutiful in administering treatment. His friend played a crucial role in communicating with the staff which kept Silver calm.

Silver’s boss actively checked his condition and ensured all payments were transacted appropriately. Both Silver and his friend returned to their dorms at 2am, which was much earlier than they originally anticipated.

After Darsh (also not his real name) suffered a large cut on his finger, he went to the emergency department at about 11am. He immediately noted an emptier space and was then brought into the doctor’s office. The hospitals were not as crowded in the late mornings as he had been led to expect, he told us.

Darsh’s company took care of him as they paid for his big-ticket hospital bills and allowed his friends to schedule visits despite their busy schedules. All this boosted his morale such that when he returned to work, he was ready to continue.

Similarly, Hozean (also not his real name) experienced high quality treatment. Despite wailing in pain in the hospital because of his broken elbow, the nurses and doctors were calm and professional. They secured his elbow to stop the discomfort and bleeding, and also kept him engaged during his painful ordeal. Hozean’s boss also ensured he was reimbursed for any miscellaneous healthcare costs and took responsibility in paying the hospital bills. “10/10 very good,” Hozean remarked.

These “10/10” experiences speak well of Singapore’s healthcare system. Our migrant workers see our hospitals as ever-ready and diligent in extending treatment. Till this day, they still remember the care that they received during one of the worst days of their lives.

Editor’s comment

At first glance, this simple story wherein three injured workers spoke positively about our healthcare system, may seem to contradict the simple fact that there is no shortage of migrant workers coming to TWC2 to seek help. If things are going as smoothly as they seem, why are they coming to TWC2?

There are two nuances to note.

Firstly, it is generally true that our healthcare system is very professional in the way they interact with patients. The workers who come to TWC2 for help do not complain about this aspect. The difficulties they face have more to do with the opacity of the insurance system or, in some cases, the intransigence of their bosses when it comes to paying for needed medical care.

That’s the second thing to note. These three interviewed workers were mainly speaking of their initial visits to the emergency department, when the bills were still relatively small. It’s when the injury turns out to be much more serious and major medical procedures are needed that employer reluctance to pay tends to become an issue.

Silver 14802 Darsh 14489 Hozean 15126