Response to The Straits Times Forum Letter on "Exempt asthmatics from IPPT"

Eligibility for IPPT governed by comprehensive Physical Employment Status (PES) classification framework We refer to Mr Alan Tan's forum letter on 19 Jun 2011 titled Exempt asthmatics from IPPT?

The eligibility of all servicemen to take the Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT) depends on their Physical Employment Status or PES. The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) employs a rigorous and comprehensive PES classification framework which takes into account the serviceman? past and existing medical conditions, which include asthma.

These medical classification guidelines are developed by a panel of medical experts comprising senior specialists from the public and private sector, and are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that they remain current and are in line with medical best practices. To determine the PES of a serviceman with asthma, a clinical assessment is conducted by SAF medical doctors to gauge how well the serviceman's asthma can be controlled with or without medication, the triggers for his asthma, as well as the clinical severity of past asthmatic attacks.

This also takes into account the serviceman's lung function test results if such a test is necessary, as well as any inputs from specialist doctors providing care to the serviceman. A serviceman who has asthma may be assigned a permanent PES that certifies him fit for IPPT or that exempts him from IPPT. However, a serviceman who has been certified fit for IPPT can still be assigned a temporary PES by a Medical Officer to exempt him from IPPT if his asthma becomes poorly controlled.

He will then be reviewed by a Medical Officer on a regular basis and if deemed necessary, the Medical Officer will refer the serviceman to the SAF Medical Board for a permanent revision of his PES. The SAF takes the safety and well-being of our servicemen very seriously. We will continue to ensure that our servicemen receive timely medical attention and good medical care.

Colonel Desmond Tan Director, Public Affairs Ministry of Defence

MINDEF's reply was published as "SAF takes safety of servicemen very seriously", The Straits Times, 26 Jun 2011