The latest issue of the SMA News is refreshingly candid. Two junior doctors -- one a medical officer, the other a registrar -- offer their insights on the current healthcare system, proposing changes that will benefit those of us who are still in government practice ( especially people on the lower rungs of the hierarchy ).
The articles are "SARS And Shorvon" and "Taking Care Of Ourselves", and I really applaud the authors for taking a stand on our behalf, voicing concerns about issues that many of us discuss among ourselves, but never really bring to the administration's attention.

Dr. Tan Wah Tze, who's currently with the National Healthcare Group ( aka the Western cluster ), and who is a year my senior, was the more vocal of the two, and his frank opinions have already garnered praise from 2 senior consultants, who feedbacked to us and fully agreed with his views. I only hope the authorities involved will use this information to effect the necessary changes, rather than call the author(s) up for "an interview", with no resulting alteration in hospital policies.

And of course, I second another doctor's letter to the SMA News, requesting that part of the Courage Fund -- set up primarily to provide financial relief to healthcare workers affected by SARS -- be used instead to help increase manpower in institutions that are shorthanded. Tributes are appreciated, but what we all sorely need right now is more medical personnel.

And speaking of tributes, I heard over the radio that there's going to be a major celebration in town tomorrow afternoon -- 2 to 6pm at The Heeren -- complete with "balloons, games" and who knows what else. Wonder how much that cost, and whether they used the Courage Fund for it?