Tag Archives: PGP

Some elderly Singaporeans are taking matters into their own hands, in their bid to get Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, covered under Pioneer Generation Package (PGP) subsidies. In a written parliamentary reply earlier this month, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong described TCM as a form of "complementary medicine", and said the subsidies would not apply at TCM clinics. About 20 elderly Singaporeans have, however, signed and handed in a petition to MP for Marine Parade GRC, Tin Pei Ling, whom they hope will push their cause. Under the PGP, pioneers who visit general practitioners (GPs) on the Community and Health Assist (CHAS) scheme will get subsidies, and this could be for ailments ranging from the common cold to chronic conditions.

We have heard much and the hype on the Pioneer Generation card on the press and on TV that is used to help and thank our pioneers for their contributions by giving medical subsidiaries to the seniors. However is it really helpful, sincere and beneficial it just makes me wonder for now. Based on 2 true accounts with my father, aged 68 and my father in-law aged 73, I take the Pioneer Generation card with a pinch of salt.

Last month, I went to see my Community Health Assist Scheme-registered dentist and paid only $25 out of a $70 bill. I left the dentist feeling that old age has its perks after all, thanks to a caring government. Any retiree will confirm that a dollar saved is a dollar earned. My joy, however, turned to frustration this month when I went for my regular eye check-up at the Singapore National Eye Centre, where I have been seeing a particular specialist since 2011.

Many Singaporeans still don’t get it. The Pioneer Generation Package was not designed to benefit our pioneers. The Pioneer Generation Package (PGP) was designed by civil servants with a profit motive, to channel more CPF for GIC to invest and to coincide with the next GE. Singaporeans must remember the PAP runs our country as a corporation and civil servants and politicians are rewarded by a set economic KPIs.

The Sunday Times today carried the headline, “New Push to explain benefits for pioneers”. A new unit, the “Pioneer Generation Office” is being set up to coordinate and train “PG ambassadors”. The unit which is funded by the Ministry of Finance but housed under the Peoples’ Association (PA) was revealed yesterday by PA Deputy Chairman Lim Swee Say on the sidelines of the aforesaid annual grassroots seminar.