Written Reply by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen to Parliamentary Question on Diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome Amongst National Servicemen
Mr Zainal Sapari: (a) How many of our total full-time and operationally-ready National Servicemen are diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome currently and under which Physical Employment Standards (PES) category are they classified; (b) for each of the past five years, how many male Singaporeans or Permanent Residents diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome have been enrolled into National Service upon reaching eligibility age and under which PES category have they been classified; and (c) what are the professional support and facilities put in place to provide an environment conducive for the training of our National Servicemen with Asperger's syndrome.
Dr Ng Eng Hen: There are currently 41 full-time National Servicemen and 61 Operationally-Ready National Servicemen with Asperger's Syndrome. They were either diagnosed with this condition before enlistment or during full-time National Service when they were referred to the SAF psychiatrist for behavioural issues.
Over the five year period from 2007-2011, a total of 55 pre-enlistees diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome were enlisted into full-time National Service. The number each year ranged from 5 to 15 and were assigned the appropriate Physical Employment Standards (PES) based on their ability to function socially and carry out vocational duties. They are usually assigned PES C or lower.
To enable SAF servicemen with Asperger’s Syndrome to be meaningfully engaged and contribute during their full-time National Service, SAF psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors work closely with these servicemen and their unit commanders to equip them with inter-personal and vocational skills.
Please submit the hospital specialist memo to the camp doctor to assess and process.
As usual, please refer to this guideline:
http://sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/392446
FYI, PES is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PULHHEEMS.
1) Go to Public Hospital / Private Specialist.
Note: You will be classified as a subsidised patient if your first visit is via:
2) Consult specialist, and
do whatever medical check ups required. E.g. physical
exam, blood test, x-ray, CT scan, MRI scan.
3) Specialist gave a finalised clinical diagnosis.
4) Get the specialist to write you a
memo which is to be given to
SAF MO. Those who can and are willing to spend some
more money can get him/her to write you a specialist report,
which is more precise and detailed.
Note: For not to
waste time and money, please be more direct yet humble. Request the
specialist to write about reviewing of PES and medical
board / anything specific such as any
excuses to your conditions.
5) Book an
medical review appointment using the eHealth module @ www.ns.sg (for NSman
Reservists).
Just go down to your camp medical centre
(for NSFs).
Call CMPB @ 6373 1340 to request another
PES review (for Pre-Enlistees after CMPB
Checkup).
6) Make a trip down to the respective unit camp medical centre. Give the MO whatever supporting documents you have in hand. E.g. Specialist memo/report (most usually the case and highly recommended), x-ray films, CT/MRI scan report, blood investigation lab report... etc.
7) MO will decide whether you are deemed eligible for KIV downgrade, according to the criterias set in the "PES Bible" directive. E.g. Diagnosis, Extent of Diagnosis, Degree of Diagnosis/Injury/Illness/Disease...etc.
8) If deemed so, you will sign an acknowledgement notice of Medical Board, whereby your case statement is prepared for review discussion at the monthly medical board meet (usually at the Formation/Division HQ) with another NSF CPT MO and the Chairman (SAF Regular Medical Doctor of MAJOR rank or above). Your Medical Board result will be post mailed to you by your respective NSHRC (Formation NS Hub).
Time and time again, the questions for Medical Review (Downgrade) is repetitive. Therefore, this serves as a general SOP for Medical Board.
Extract from www.mindef.gov.sg/nsmen:
NSmen must update their NS HRCs if they should
develop any new medical condition or if their existing medical
condition has worsened which might affect their ability to perform
their duties during ICT. Arrangements will then be made for them to
attend a medical review at the SAF medical centre to assess their
fitness for NS.
The NSmen MUST bring along all investigation results and
memorandums from his external physician/specialist during the
medical review. Depending on the outcome of the medical review, the
NSman may be given a medical certificate to defer him from ICT, be
scheduled for a medical board to downgrade him if his medical
condition is significant, or referred to a restructured hospital
for further investigation. In the event that the medical officer
determines that the NSman’s medical condition will not affect his
ability to participate in the ICT, he will allow the NSman to
attend the ICT.