An unpleasant experience with an unprofessional SAF MO
Posted by temasektimes on July 8, 2012
I truly believe in My Yang’s issue/problems as I ran into the same doc & problem in another camp just recently on my last day of ICT last Fri, so I can relate his feelings & frustrations.
My left foot has recurring problems/pains for 1yr+, been on regular GP visits & had steroidal jabs done 2x, pain was unbearable after 5days on boots.Went medical center on day of out-pro to ask for referral to specialist @government hospital, 1st words out of his mouth was very very rude, telling me straight that referral doesn’t mean NSMen doesn’t have to pay a single cent and that I was trying to “geng”.
Well, I told him that as a medical professional, he should be asking about my feet pain & symptoms & more medical issues rather than telling me abt $$$ & costs or me trying to geng. I told him straight in his face that his attitude & rudeness is not the making of a pro doctor. I had been enduring the pain since day 1 of my ICT till the last day(5days ICT) & I wouldn’t come see him on the last day of out-pro and I don’t need any MC as well. Just for the record, it’s my last ICT since I’m turning 40 in few months.
Funny thing is, I took down his Rank name & time on a piece of paper, he asked me why I did that and his attitude changes after that(more calmer & slightly friendlier) and starts to talk more like a pro. I asked him what my problem was & the medical term my condition was so I can confirm with my GP for diagnose. He starts to apologies & said we’re on the wrong/different frequency & he said he can draft the letter to save me a trip to the polyclinic queue. This attitude & attention was what I needed in the first place
This doctor seriously need to change his attitude and his mentality, not all NSMen are trying to ‘geng’ & also as a medical practictional or fellow human beings, we should be humble & be nice. I cannot imagine all the NSMen he’s seen and those people that got abused by him verbally. I was 1 of the victims I guess.
With that said, I’m not going to be like Mr Yang to write to all, I’ll be following the proper procedures by going to the S’pore medical council (SMC), submit a statutory declaration and a formal complaint once I’m back from overseas assignment. Need time to draft the complaint letter due to busy work schedule.
PS: I believe he’s a local & he’s young in his late 20/early 30.
IN THE SAME SHOES
*The above was first posted as a comment on The Temasek Times.
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SAF MO scolds sick NSman: You can only report sick if you collapse!
THE TEMASEK TIMES 
hOt said
Gentlemen, basically I see all these MO are also victim of circumstances. Minded shd look into how they recruit ll these MO ??? All these MO shd be put through proper guidances & training so that those frustrated one shd look at being MO is not a waste of their talent & time. I see them as being angry with SAF arrangement for them.
Errol Tan said
Yes, lodge a formal complain to the SMC.
Ben Goh said
Go Go Go! Remember our MO who was like drinking in camp, seeing patients in admin Tee and when he’s half drunk
Ron said
MINDEF and the Government has to be aware that the social media is now publishing more allegations against this SAF MO. So far I have not read any response from MINDEF. It will only reinforce a very negative impression with the public.
Silence is not golden. Even if investigations are ongoing, there should be a statement issued.
Lim said
same guy Wong Yi or something? I think he needs to be taught some hard lessons in humility and bed-side manners. If SMC or SAF Medical Corp do not do something to teach these young arrogant inexperienced doctors a lesson they never forget there will be more deaths with MOs of thiese attitudes?
chow said
I had 42 degrees fever before. My camp MO laughed and gave me panadol and attend C barrack. For more than one week. This happened more than 10 years ago. This is what I had to put up with to serve Singapore.
Genghis khan said
SAF is a failure !
Genghis khan said
Don’t make me post my story about SAF did to me when in ROC,the officer in charge Is a real big asshole when in ROC !they care only about their rank and position , our life is nothing to them !hope the media can come to me about my real story because there’s a file about a big accident which happen!fxxk SAF!
Free Trolley said
It is true that there exist a bunch of people trying to ‘geng’ their way through army. Then again, there are genuine medical cases and MINDEF need to work on how to handle this 2 groups of people.
Ren said
Everybodys in the evil cycle…
bb said
DPM Teo-Pl remove this MO.-or else you will be elected
unfortunate said
I have nightmare experience with FT doctors but cannot reveal unless I am leaving my job tomorrow.
Mel said
I tink we should remove saf mo and outsource to private. Outside doc is likely to be more impartial. Can’t blame the saf mos who has to see so many ‘ geng’ on a daily basis.
SAR said
Dun let me get my SAR again. U will regard MO.
Mr Yang said
”I took down his Rank name & time on a piece of paper, he asked me why I did that and his attitude changes after that… …
This doctor seriously need to change his attitude and his mentality, … … I cannot imagine all the NSMen he’s seen and those people that got abused by him verbally. I was 1 of the victims I guess. … …
With that said, I’m not going to be like Mr Yang to write to all, I’ll be following the proper procedures by going to the S’pore medical council (SMC), submit a statutory declaration and a formal complaint once I’m back from overseas assignment. Need time to draft the complaint letter due to busy work schedule.”
– IN THE SAME SHOES
Very similar story. Not surprised as the old saying goes, ”a leopard can not change its spots”.
Since I have recovered about 70% of my health & fitness, I guess I should and will do the same: ”by going to the S’pore medical council (SMC), submit a statutory declaration and a formal complaint… …”
p.s. Thank you to Temasek Times editors & moderators for helping to raise awareness on rogue doctors who ill-treat civilian soldiers (ORD NS-men).
http://www.facebook.com/notes/we-wish-wp-contingent-to-represent-singaporeans-in-ndp-2012-too/army-medical-officer-threatens-civilian-saf-doctor-threatens-nsmen-citizen-soldi/327989410623277
Mod’s reply:
Please email your complaint about this doctor to SMC to us at temasektimes@yahoo.com. Thanks!
wj said
I dislocated my shoulder in JC and it recurred again while I was doing a swimming evolution as an NSF. Even though I managed to pop the bone back into the socket, it was still sore so the instructor sent me to SMC to do a checkup. At first the MO started twisting my arm slightly and asked me whether I felt any pain, in which I said no, only soreness from before. Then, incredulously, the MO asked me, “Can you dislocate your shoulder to show me?”
I looked at him like he was crazy, but I simply said, “No.” I mean, who will willingly want to dislocate their own shoulder right?
I think he didn’t really believe me, but at least he gave me the rest of the day off physical activities.
iloveFedupNSmen said
As a medic in the room, unfortunately the above account is again one sided and as far fetched as Mr Yang’s
Not once did my MO said you were trying to keng, he only said he can refer you but it’s not going to be free. Yet, your tone changed immediately upon hearing that, became aggressive and even started copying down the MO’s name even before you heard his explanation. When he switched to “how to deal with a difficult patient” mode, you claimed he was scared of you complaining. When he explained to you that he told you when he said it’s not free because he does not want you to be mistaken that it will be free just in case you thought so when you go for the specialist review, you seemed to accept his explanation, yet came to backstab him on temasek times.
He did not want you to be have a wrong assumption from the start, switched to his ultra nice “deal with difficult patient mode”, listened to your grandfather stories on your heel pain, examined you, referred you to a specialist, gave you excuse for running and gave you medications. With 20 people waiting outside to be seen. And now he’s unprofessional? Some NSmen really bring shame to national service. As a NSF, I will strive not to become a scum like you. 2.5 years and many cycles of ICT apparently hasn’t drilled anything into your thick skull.
iloveFedupNSmen said
As a medic in the room, unfortunately the above account is again one sided and as far fetched as Mr Yang’s
Not once did my MO said you were trying to keng, he only said he can refer you but it’s not going to be free. Yet, your tone changed immediately upon hearing that, became aggressive and even started copying down the MO’s name even before you heard his explanation. When he switched to “how to deal with a difficult patient” mode, you claimed he was scared of you complaining. When he explained to you that he told you when he said it’s not free because he does not want you to be mistaken that it will be free just in case you thought so when you go for the specialist review, you seemed to accept his explanation, yet came to backstab him on temasek times.
He did not want you to be have a wrong assumption from the start, switched to his ultra nice “deal with difficult patient mode”, listened to your grandfather stories on your heel pain, examined you, referred you to a specialist, gave you excuse for running and gave you medications. With 20 people waiting outside to be seen. And now he’s unprofessional? Some NSmen really bring shame to national service. As a NSF, I will strive not to become a scum like you. 2.5 years and many cycles of ICT apparently hasn’t drilled anything into your thick skull.