Response to Lianhe Zaobao Forum Letter on ''Mother Worries About Her Soon To Be Enlisted Son''

Medical Classification of Soldiers ensures their Safety for Military Training We thank Mdm Cai Bin for her forum letter on 17 May 2012, "Mother Worries About Her Soon To Be Enlisted Son", and her support for National Service (NS). MINDEF and the SAF share Mdm Cai Bin's concern that NS men should be able to train safely without any adverse impact on their health. This indeed is the main reason for the medical classification system which has been developed in consultation with medical specialists. In assessing suitability of NS men with asthma for different types of training, medical experts take into account factors which include the history of symptoms, frequency and severity of attacks, treatment regime and lung function test results.

These medical classification guidelines are reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that our NS men are only deployed to vocations and training which are compatible with their medical status. Colonel (Dr) Kang Wee Lee Chief of Medical Corps Ministry of Defence MINDEF's reply was published as "Medical Classification Of Soldiers Ensures Their Safety For Military Training", Lianhe Zaobao, 22 May 12