Forum: Time to relook lack of air-con in B2 and C class hospital wards?
I am writing as a concerned citizen to ask if the Ministry of Health is currently reviewing the possibility of installing air-conditioning in B2 and C class wards of public hospitals.
This issue has been brought up before, but with climate change driving temperatures in Singapore consistently to 34 deg C to 36 deg C – and even higher when humidity is factored in – the issue of heat is no longer just a matter of comfort, but one of patient recovery and staff well-being.
Our healthcare environment must keep pace with changing realities. Air-conditioned public transport has become the norm for over two decades, and I believe it is time to extend this basic comfort to our public healthcare wards.
Many patients in B2 and C class wards are vulnerable, and excessive heat can compromise their recovery process.
Equally, our dedicated medical workers are operating under increasingly challenging conditions, which can affect both morale and performance.
Enhancing the physical environment of our public hospitals is aligned with the broader goal of delivering quality, patient-centric care.
Given the rise in ambient temperatures and the real impact of climate change on everyday living conditions, I hope the ministry will consider this matter seriously now.
Schalling Tan
More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
South Africa reports H5N1 bird flu on poultry farms, international agency says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Test tubes are seen labelled \"Bird Flu\" words in this illustration taken, June 10, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo PARIS - South Africa has reported the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza, or bird flu, on two poultry farms in the country, the World Organisation for Animal Health said on Wednesday. The cases were the first in South Africa since September last year, Paris-based WOAH said in a notification. South Africa's poultry sector has been recovering from an outbreak in 2023 that led to the loss of a third of the national chicken flock. The industry has been wary of a resurgence of the diseases amid criticism of the rollout of a government vaccination programme. Bird flu has ravaged poultry flocks worldwide in recent years, including in the United States, and top poultry exporter Brazil this year reported its first known case on a commercial farm. In South Africa, the new outbreaks killed 1,150 poultry birds on the affected firms, Paris-based WOAH said, citing South African authorities. This included 300 birds killed on a farm in Tswaing in North West province and 850 birds that died on a farm in Mkhondo in Mpumalanga province. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
UK's Princess Kate says she had to 'put on brave face' in cancer journey
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales visits the RHS's Wellbeing Garden at Colchester Hospital in Essex. July 2, 2025. Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS LONDON - Kate, Britain's Princess of Wales, said on Wednesday that she had to put on a "brave face" throughout and following her cancer treatment last year, describing the ordeal as a life-changing experience. Kate, 43, announced in March last year that she would undergo a course of chemotherapy after tests taken following major abdominal surgery revealed that an unspecified form of cancer had been present. She completed the course of treatment in September, and said earlier this year she was in remission. "You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment, treatment's done, then it's like, 'I can crack on, get back to normal', but actually the phase afterwards is really... difficult," Kate said during a visit to a hospital in Essex, southeast England. Speaking to staff, patients and volunteers at the hospital, the princess emphasised the importance of support after treatment, noting that while patients may no longer be under clinical care, they often still struggle to "function normally at home" as they once did. Kate described the cancer diagnosis and treatment as "life-changing" for both patients and their loved ones, according to PA Media, adding: "It's a rollercoaster, it's not one smooth plain". The princess has been gradually resuming her public royal role but missed the Royal Ascot horse racing event last month, with a royal source citing her need for balance following her cancer treatment. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade Singapore From camping to mentorship, Singapore scouts mark 115th anniversary of the youth movement Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty Singapore ByteDance food poisoning: Catering firm convicted after cockroach infestation found on premises Singapore The romance continues: Former 'Singapore girl', 77, returns to Osaka Expo after 55 years Singapore Teen, 17, to be charged with allegedly trespassing on MRT tracks Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
From camping to mentorship, Singapore scouts marks 115th anniversary of the youth movement
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox (From left) Ministry of Education Senior Education Officer Songguang Han and doctor Sunil Ravinder Gill at The Singapore Scout Association Headquarters on July 2. SINGAPORE – Thirteen years on, Dr Sunil Ravinder Gill still regards a camping trip gone wrong as one of the key highlights of his scouting experience. During a three day two night stay at Pulau Ubin, Dr Ravinder Gill's scouts unit found themselves caught in a thunderstorm that raged on for a day and night. 'Some of the emptier tents went flying and we had to chase it down…Mud was flowing into tents and bags were being soaked,' the 30-year-old medical doctor said. As the senior scout in charge of the outing, Dr Ravinder Gill , then a student from Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), witnessed his fellow scouts' efforts in lugging all their camping equipment from mainland Singapore. He made the tough call to cancel the camp early for the safety of his fellow scouts. Still, experiences like these spurred Dr Ravinder Gill to continue scouting even after he left formal schooling. He now serves as the scout's national commissioner and assistant international commissioner, focusing on enhancing the scouting experience. Another scout, Mr Songguang Han said he was influenced by his family members and joined the youth movement in primary school. He has not looked back since. For being late on one occasion, he remembers being asked to run and touch a tree at the end of his school field repeatedly, as a punishment doled out by his seniors to instil the value of being punctual in the young scouts. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty Singapore ByteDance food poisoning: Catering firm convicted after cockroach infestation found on premises Singapore Three hair salons raided in clampdown on touting, vice, drugs in Geylang and Joo Chiat Singapore The romance continues: Former 'Singapore girl', 77, returns to Osaka Expo after 55 years Singapore Jail for ex-DSTA employee who shared confidential information with electrical firm manager Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home While Mr Han , now 44, says this kind of punishment no longer happens, he said the values of teamwork and community spirit remain part of the scouting experience. Dr Ravinder Gill and Mr Han are among 115 recipients of a commemorative medallion in appreciation of their contributions to scouting, given in conjunction with the Singapore Scout Association's (SSA's) 115th anniversary and Singapore's 60th birthday. The awardees are role models within the scouting community with more than 15 years of service in areas such as governance, community outreach, training or administrative leadership. The medallions were presented by former president Halimah Yacob during an award ceremony on July 2 at the association's headquarters in Bishan. Former president Madam Halimah Yacob unveiling a specially created SG60/SSA115 membership ring badge at The Singapore Scout Association Headquarters on July 2. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR During the ceremony, Madam Halimah also unveiled a new badge specially designed to mark SG60 and SSA's 115th anniversary. All scouts will wear this on their uniform from July 2025 to December 2026. She said that scouting has played a pivotal role in shaping future leaders, through its training and mentorship of young people. Many of its alumni, including all four of Singapore's prime ministers, have gone on to contribute significantly to society, she added. Mr Desmond Chong, chief commissioner of SSA, said other notable alumni include several cabinet ministers such as the Minister for Law, Edwin Tong, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung, as well as Minister for Defence, Chan Chun Sing. 'Scouting in Singapore has always been at the forefront of promoting inclusivity and gender equality - we are the first and only uniformed youth group in Singapore to have a special needs programme and we have close to 2,000 girls in scouting despite starting off as the Boy Scouts Association,' said Madam Halimah, who is chancellor of Singapore University of Social Sciences. She was referring to the Special Needs programme, set up in the 1980s by the SSA to provide a modified scouting experience for youth with special needs. It has allowed more than 11 units from different special education schools to have the same experience regular scouts do. Former president Madam Halimah Yacob touring the gallery at The Singapore Scout Association Headquarters on July 2. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR For example, one of the scout campsites have specially designed rock climbing walls for those who use wheelchairs. SSA dates back to 1910 and is one of the earliest Scouting movements in Asia. Looking ahead, Mr Chong said that the association wants to expand its reach and impact by engaging more young people from diverse backgrounds. 'In recent years, we have seen the incorporation of digital and STEM-based activities into our programmes, reflecting the growing importance of these fields in our world today. Our Scouts are now not only adept at traditional scouting skills but also proficient in digital literacy, robotics, and environmental stewardship,' he said.
