Response to The Straits Times Forum Letter on "Injured serviceman: What's the rehabilitation plan?" and Online Letter on "Consider funding NSmen's group insurance as well"

Care and Rehabilitation of Injured Servicemen

We thank Mr Tan Teck Leng and Mr Chang Jian Feng for their letters. MINDEF is thankful for and shares their concern over the care and rehabilitation of injured servicemen. We are closely monitoring the progress of ME2 Jason Chee, who continues to be in the Intensive Care Unit.

We would like to reassure the public that MINDEF will pay for all medical expenses incurred at any government/restructured hospital or clinic as a result of the injury. This includes costs of medical supplies and equipment, counseling and psychiatric care where needed and for as long as necessary for full recovery.

Injured serviceman will also receive a lump sum compensation for any permanent disability. The quantum for compensation are higher (or similar to)  than those adopted by the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA). In addition, serviceman with total permanent disability and/or those whose families have financial difficulties will receive assistance from the SAF Benevolent Grant. Where feasible, MINDEF will redeploy the serviceman back into occupation, working with other relevant agencies to provide rehabilitative care and employment services where needed. 

These financial compensation and social assistance are provided to all injured serviceman regardless of whether they have purchased any additional cover under the  optional Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Group Term Life (GTL) insurance scheme.

Mr Tan Kok Yam
Director Manpower
Ministry of Defence

MINDEF's reply was published as "Mindef's compensation, care for injured servicemen", The Straits Times, 21 Dec 12