Section A (Source Based Case Study)

Question 1 is compulsory for all candidates

Study the Background Information and the sources carefully, and then answer all
the questions.

You may use any of the sources to help you answer the questions, in addition to
those sources you are told to use. In answering the questions, you should use your
knowledge of the topic to help you interpret and evaluate the sources.

1 (a) Study Source A.

What can you infer about Singapores healthcare from this source?
Explain your answer. [5]

(b) Study Source B.

What is the message of this source? Explain your answer. [6]

(c) Study Sources C and D.

How different are these sources? Explain your answer. [8]

(d) Study Source E.

Why do you think the cartoonist drew this? Explain your answer, [[[8]
using details of the cartoon.

(e) Study Source F.

How surprised are you by this source? Explain your answer,
using details of the cartoon. [ [8]

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 Has the healthcare services in Singapore met the needs of the people?

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Read this carefully. It may help you answer some of the questions.

Singapores healthcare system is tailored such that it is able to provide citizens with
cost effective and timely healthcare when needed. The Ministry of Health believes
in ensuring quality and affordable healthcare for everyone.

The Ministry of Health also promotes healthy living as well as preventive measures
to ensure we are able to maintain high standards of living. Despite government
efforts to ensure healthcare is affordable and sufficient, many are still unable to
afford current standards of healthcare.

Source A: Adapted from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loongs National Day Rally
Speech.

We have a 3M (Medisave, Medishield, Medifund) system designed precisely to

keep healthcare affordable to all, even and especially, the lower income group.
And we have steadily improved and upgraded and extended the 3M system so
Medisave now covers long term outpatient treatment, Medishield now provides
higher insurance payouts. We have increased the amounts for Medifund to give
help to the needy to settle their outstanding hospital bills. As a result, MPs see
fewer cases of residents being unable to afford healthcare and medical social
workers report that the Medifund is adequate to cover hospital bills.

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Source B: Adapted from a speech by a non-PAP Member of Parliament,
12 November 2013.

Many Singaporeans are worried about falling ill and not being able to afford their
medical expenses. A survey conducted last year by Mindshare, a global media and
marketing services firm, found that 72% of Singaporeans felt they cannot afford to get
sick due to high medical costs.

This echoes the sentiments of many Singaporeans I have spoken to, many of whom
are elderly or have sick family members to care for. In particular, the high out-of-
pocket payments at the point of treatment are a great source of worry for many who
hope for affordable healthcare.

It is not uncommon to hear accounts of older folks ignoring health problems and
delaying visits to the doctor because they fear that medical expenses will be a
financial burden to themselves and their families.

Source C: A view on healthcare by the chief of the NTUC

There is a saying among the lower income group that it is better to die than to fall sick in
Singapore. Is the situation really so bad?
I saw a report that stated the healthcare system in Singapore to be among the best in the
world in achieving positive health outcomes with low expenditure.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has produced a document that spells out the policy to make
healthcare affordable for all. The components of this strategy include subsidy for
healthcare services, Medisave, Medishield and Medifund.
I agree with the report and the MOH paper on healthcare. I believe healthcare cost is
manageable in Singapore, although it has increased in recent years due to higher
standard of living and an ageing population. The concern of the people appear to be due
to lack of understanding and education.

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 Source D: Adapted from a post on a website ,August 2013.

Doctor, doctor, why is my bill so high? It sounds like the beginnings of a joke, but for
many people, it is not a joke. Singapore healthcare costs rose 4.5 per cent last year
marginally above the overall inflation rate, a year in which nominal wage increases were
only 2.3 per cent. This means that the rise in cost of healthcare is outstripping the rise
in wages. Section B (Structured-Essay Questions)

Although there is a forced savings for medical

Answer bills in effect called Medisave, where
one question.
employees must currently save from over five to seven plus per cent currently of their
paypacket depending on their age group, Singaporeans do worry generally about
whether they will have enough for medical bills.

Source E: Adapted from a post on a website, The Singapore Daily,

16 April 2013. The lady in the cartoon represents a PAP Member
of Parliament in the Singapore Government.

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Source F: A Singaporean cartoonists views on healthcare policies

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2 UNDERSTANDING GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

(a) Explain how meritocracy is a key guiding principle of good governance in [5]
Singapore.
(b) Explain two other key guiding principles of good governance in Singapore. [10]

3 CONFLICT IN MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETIES-SRI LANKA

(a) Explain how citizenship rights is a key reason for conflict in Sri Lanka. [5]

(b) Explain two other key reasons for conflict in Sri Lanka [10]

4 BONDING SINGAPORE

(a) Explain how external threat is a challenge for racial cohesion in Singapore. [5]

(b) Explain two challenges for racial cohesion in Singapore. [10]

END OF PAPER