one ship which is interesting to discuss (but) and difficult to put into practice in reality. Let's just think positively. We share the vision you can change your healthy welath cum wealthy health fate for the better.
Poverty is not an excuse for poor teaching and for not excelling in academics. We believe that poverty and scarcity are not barriers to high quality education. "Teacher-expert" and "student-expert" interaction happens in real time through email and text messaging.
This too shall pass.
Unlike some scientists or academics who are agnostics (are you one of them?) or atheists (are you one of them?), we find no conflict between science and the biblical faith ;theology. We are able (enabled by the Spirit of Truth) to find and discover contact points between what we witness in our scientific work and what we believe in as Christian - a living personal and infinitely creative God.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
36-year-old Rian Hamzah's quest for literacy
The spirit of learning is not something that can be forced. It is something that must come from the inside.
I found out that formal school was not my cup of tea even though I liked reading .
The man on bicycle , Rian Hamzah, a 36-year-old father of two, has been pedalling an ersatz 'mobile library' since 2005, which he uses to promote reading among street children across the city, around Jatinegara (east Jakarta), Megaria and the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle [both in Central Jakarta], in the hopes that he could make a difference in the lives of children on the street. He typically parks his bicycle in one spot for about five hours while bringing books to the street children. He hopes he can stimulate the street children to read and in the end encourage them to return to school, but despite his nobel altruism efforts, most of the street children are not enthusiastic.
I found out that formal school was not my cup of tea even though I liked reading .
The man on bicycle , Rian Hamzah, a 36-year-old father of two, has been pedalling an ersatz 'mobile library' since 2005, which he uses to promote reading among street children across the city, around Jatinegara (east Jakarta), Megaria and the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle [both in Central Jakarta], in the hopes that he could make a difference in the lives of children on the street. He typically parks his bicycle in one spot for about five hours while bringing books to the street children. He hopes he can stimulate the street children to read and in the end encourage them to return to school, but despite his nobel altruism efforts, most of the street children are not enthusiastic.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Primum non nocere -
"First, do no harm " - doctors are enjoined by the Hippocratic Oath. Sometimes "do no harm" means "do nothing".
We doctors must help nature to heal, when we can; comfort the victims, when we can't - and be wise enough to know which would be the best course of action in each particular case.
It was wisdom, common sense or perhaps just years of experience that enabled me to give practical but important advice to save the victim and victim's family.
Overall manager-doctor is needed now. This requires the ability to see the forest as well as the trees and to have enough life experience to advise a fellow human being.
We doctors must help nature to heal, when we can; comfort the victims, when we can't - and be wise enough to know which would be the best course of action in each particular case.
It was wisdom, common sense or perhaps just years of experience that enabled me to give practical but important advice to save the victim and victim's family.
Overall manager-doctor is needed now. This requires the ability to see the forest as well as the trees and to have enough life experience to advise a fellow human being.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Beware of water quality
Annual Assessment Of Water Quality At Beaches
Singapore, 7 September 2010 - The National Environment Agency (NEA) had in August 2008 revised its guidelines for water quality for recreational use. The revised guidelines were developed based on the World Health Organisation's water quality guidelines for recreational use.
The revised guidelines are based on the microbial indicator, Enterococcus*, which corresponds better with the health risks associated with the use of recreational beach water compared to the previous indicator, faecal coliform.
Under the revised guidelines, only beaches with not more than 5% of the collected water samples having enterococcus counts of greater than 200 per 100 ml, and graded “Good” or “Very Good”, are suitable for whole–body water contact activities such as swimming, water-skiing, and wakeboarding (also known as primary contact activities). Beaches that have more than 5% of the collected samples having enterococcus counts greater than 200 per 100 ml and graded “Fair”, “Poor” or “Very Poor” are not suitable for primary contact recreation.
Water quality of Singapore beaches
In 2008 and 2009, five out of the six popular recreational beaches monitored by NEA were assessed to be suitable for primary contact activities as they were graded “Very Good” or “Good”. They are Sentosa Island, Seletar Island, Sembawang Park, Changi and East Coast Park.
The water quality at Pasir Ris beach was graded as 'Fair' under the more stringent revised WHO guidelines, and hence deemed unsuitable for primary contact activities. Accordingly, NEA has put up signages along Pasir Ris beach to advise beach goers against swimming in the water since 1 August 2008.
The NEA has now completed the annual water quality review of the six recreational beaches for 2010. Under this review, the water quality of Sentosa Island, Seletar Island, Sembawang Park, Changi and East Coast Park beaches are again graded “Very Good” or “Good”, and are suitable for primary contact activities. Pasir Ris beach continues to be graded as “Fair”. In the latest grading for Pasir Ris beach, 7% of the collected samples had enterococcus counts greater than 200 per 100 ml, compared to 8% in 2009. The public is again advised to refrain from swimming at Pasir Ris beach until the next review in August 2011.
Causes of “Fair” water quality of Pasir Ris beach
According to results from a study released by NEA in 2009 during the last annual assessment of water quality at beaches, Pasir Ris beach’s water quality is affected by various possible sources, including minor leakage from older sewers, moored vessels, animals, as well as discharges from small-scale Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) that presently serve the more remote areas in Pasir Ris. The low water currents in the concave part of Pasir Ris beach are not effective in diluting and dispersing the discharges.
To help improve the water quality at Pasir Ris beach, PUB has an ongoing plan to extend the sewer network and phase out the 39 STPs in the Halus/Tampines, Changi and Selarang areas by 2012. PUB also has an ongoing sewer rehabilitation programme for aging sewers in this area, under which 23km of sewers will be rehabilitated by 2011. Works on the phasing out of the STPs and sewer rehabilitation are both on schedule.
NEA will continue to closely monitor the water quality at Pasir Ris beach and inform the public of the updated beach gradings in our next annual review.
(*A type of bacteria found in the faeces of human and warm blooded animals)
~~ End ~~
For more information, please contact
Call Centre: 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632)
Email: Contact_NEA@nea.gov.sg
Singapore, 7 September 2010 - The National Environment Agency (NEA) had in August 2008 revised its guidelines for water quality for recreational use. The revised guidelines were developed based on the World Health Organisation's water quality guidelines for recreational use.
The revised guidelines are based on the microbial indicator, Enterococcus*, which corresponds better with the health risks associated with the use of recreational beach water compared to the previous indicator, faecal coliform.
Under the revised guidelines, only beaches with not more than 5% of the collected water samples having enterococcus counts of greater than 200 per 100 ml, and graded “Good” or “Very Good”, are suitable for whole–body water contact activities such as swimming, water-skiing, and wakeboarding (also known as primary contact activities). Beaches that have more than 5% of the collected samples having enterococcus counts greater than 200 per 100 ml and graded “Fair”, “Poor” or “Very Poor” are not suitable for primary contact recreation.
Water quality of Singapore beaches
In 2008 and 2009, five out of the six popular recreational beaches monitored by NEA were assessed to be suitable for primary contact activities as they were graded “Very Good” or “Good”. They are Sentosa Island, Seletar Island, Sembawang Park, Changi and East Coast Park.
The water quality at Pasir Ris beach was graded as 'Fair' under the more stringent revised WHO guidelines, and hence deemed unsuitable for primary contact activities. Accordingly, NEA has put up signages along Pasir Ris beach to advise beach goers against swimming in the water since 1 August 2008.
The NEA has now completed the annual water quality review of the six recreational beaches for 2010. Under this review, the water quality of Sentosa Island, Seletar Island, Sembawang Park, Changi and East Coast Park beaches are again graded “Very Good” or “Good”, and are suitable for primary contact activities. Pasir Ris beach continues to be graded as “Fair”. In the latest grading for Pasir Ris beach, 7% of the collected samples had enterococcus counts greater than 200 per 100 ml, compared to 8% in 2009. The public is again advised to refrain from swimming at Pasir Ris beach until the next review in August 2011.
Causes of “Fair” water quality of Pasir Ris beach
According to results from a study released by NEA in 2009 during the last annual assessment of water quality at beaches, Pasir Ris beach’s water quality is affected by various possible sources, including minor leakage from older sewers, moored vessels, animals, as well as discharges from small-scale Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) that presently serve the more remote areas in Pasir Ris. The low water currents in the concave part of Pasir Ris beach are not effective in diluting and dispersing the discharges.
To help improve the water quality at Pasir Ris beach, PUB has an ongoing plan to extend the sewer network and phase out the 39 STPs in the Halus/Tampines, Changi and Selarang areas by 2012. PUB also has an ongoing sewer rehabilitation programme for aging sewers in this area, under which 23km of sewers will be rehabilitated by 2011. Works on the phasing out of the STPs and sewer rehabilitation are both on schedule.
NEA will continue to closely monitor the water quality at Pasir Ris beach and inform the public of the updated beach gradings in our next annual review.
(*A type of bacteria found in the faeces of human and warm blooded animals)
~~ End ~~
For more information, please contact
Call Centre: 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632)
Email: Contact_NEA@nea.gov.sg
We salute our combat ready NS men.
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/publications/cyberpioneer/news/2010/september/07sep10_news.html
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) rolled out changes to its combat fitness training system on 1 Sep to meet an increasingly complex and urbanised operational environment, announced Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Chan Chun Sing on 7 Sep at Seletar Camp.
He said: "To better prepare our soldiers to meet evolving operational demands, the SAF has strengthened its combat fitness training system, using advances in fitness training science."
The changes come in the form of modifications to the existing exercise regime, as well as a redesign of its Standard Obstacle Course (SOC). All SOC grounds will be updated by June 2011.
The first prong of the new system - termed Vocation Related Exercises (VREs) - aims to strengthen specific muscle groups that in-service personnel will use to carry out combat tasks specific to their vocations.
Elaborating on the VRE, Assistant Chief of the General Staff (Training) Colonel (COL) Ng Wai Kit gave an example from the artillery vocation, where the soldiers need more upper body strength to carry 155mm shells. So one of their VREs is the Dead Lift which involves lifting a weight from a standing position.
In the new training system, six old obstacles have been replaced with seven redesigned ones within the existing obstacle course. "The new obstacles have been designed to better emulate the operating environment and will better develop soldiers' strength, agility and endurance for basic combat movement and tasks," said COL Ng.
For example, the third obstacle - named Rubble - trains soldiers to move through damaged urban spaces made up of collapsed concrete structures. To negotiate this obstacle, soldiers are expected to vault and duck in quick succession, mimicking the action of moving through urban rubble.
Dr Tian saying that the redesigned obstacles are safer for soldiers while increasing combat fitness.
Dr Tian saying that the redesigned obstacles are safer for soldiers while increasing combat fitness.
Familiar obstacles such as the Low Wall and Jacob's Ladder (now renamed Apex Ladder) also feature in the redesigned SOC. These train basic confidence in executing combat manoeuvres and have been retained because of their relevance to the evolving operational demands, said COL Ng.
Commenting on the changes was sports physician, Dr Roger Tian from Changi General Hospital. He said: "The redesigned obstacles are safer for soldiers while being more relevant to combat fitness training. They adhere to sports science principles of progressive training and specificity." For example, the VREs are designed to target muscle groups relevant to each vocation's combat tasks - which Dr Tian termed, "specificity".
Progressive training will begin with recruits familiarising themselves with the obstacles and learning how to overcome them during Basic Military Training.
Tying it all back to the new combat fitness system that emphasises vocation-specific combat fitness, the Vocational Obstacle Course (VOC), which places greater emphasis on team-based fitness and leadership by junior commanders, was also unveiled. In the VOC, soldiers have to clear the redesigned combat obstacles as a section or a detachment and perform vocation-specific combat tasks along the way.
"The redesigned obstacles are more challenging, but they also increase my combat confidence," said Corporal (CPL) Mohamed Syakeer bin Abdul Rahim from 3rd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (3 SIR).
Echoing his sentiments was Third Sergeant Leroi Lim, also from 3 SIR. "The VOC is more suited to operating within urban environments and more relevant to our combat tasks. The timings are definitely achievable because of the progressive manner in which we are trained," said the section leader who has led his section to well below the pass timing of 18 mins required of his vocation as an Infantry soldier.
Pass timings are determined by the individual vocations' requirements, taking into consideration combat load, required actions by the team members and total distance covered. For example, while both Infantry and Artillery soldiers have to run a distance of 300m after clearing the obstacles, the former simulates evacuating an injured team member on a stretcher. These requirements - determined by a soldier's vocation - account for the differences in pass timings.
"These differences reflect the SAF's efforts to ensure that our combat fitness training programmes are customised to the vocations," said COL Ng.
The VOC has been implemented for all Regulars and Full-time National Servicemen and when they progress to Operationally Ready National Service. This will not apply to current batches of Operationally Ready National Servicemen.
CPL Syakeer believes that the VOC will give him more confidence in carrying out his combat tasks.
CPL Syakeer believes that the VOC will give him more confidence in carrying out his combat tasks.
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2010/sep/07sep10_fs.html
watch video click here http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/resources/videos/newsvids/2010/07sep10_newsvideo.html
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) rolled out changes to its combat fitness training system on 1 Sep to meet an increasingly complex and urbanised operational environment, announced Chief of Army Major-General (MG) Chan Chun Sing on 7 Sep at Seletar Camp.
He said: "To better prepare our soldiers to meet evolving operational demands, the SAF has strengthened its combat fitness training system, using advances in fitness training science."
The changes come in the form of modifications to the existing exercise regime, as well as a redesign of its Standard Obstacle Course (SOC). All SOC grounds will be updated by June 2011.
The first prong of the new system - termed Vocation Related Exercises (VREs) - aims to strengthen specific muscle groups that in-service personnel will use to carry out combat tasks specific to their vocations.
Elaborating on the VRE, Assistant Chief of the General Staff (Training) Colonel (COL) Ng Wai Kit gave an example from the artillery vocation, where the soldiers need more upper body strength to carry 155mm shells. So one of their VREs is the Dead Lift which involves lifting a weight from a standing position.
In the new training system, six old obstacles have been replaced with seven redesigned ones within the existing obstacle course. "The new obstacles have been designed to better emulate the operating environment and will better develop soldiers' strength, agility and endurance for basic combat movement and tasks," said COL Ng.
For example, the third obstacle - named Rubble - trains soldiers to move through damaged urban spaces made up of collapsed concrete structures. To negotiate this obstacle, soldiers are expected to vault and duck in quick succession, mimicking the action of moving through urban rubble.
Dr Tian saying that the redesigned obstacles are safer for soldiers while increasing combat fitness.
Dr Tian saying that the redesigned obstacles are safer for soldiers while increasing combat fitness.
Familiar obstacles such as the Low Wall and Jacob's Ladder (now renamed Apex Ladder) also feature in the redesigned SOC. These train basic confidence in executing combat manoeuvres and have been retained because of their relevance to the evolving operational demands, said COL Ng.
Commenting on the changes was sports physician, Dr Roger Tian from Changi General Hospital. He said: "The redesigned obstacles are safer for soldiers while being more relevant to combat fitness training. They adhere to sports science principles of progressive training and specificity." For example, the VREs are designed to target muscle groups relevant to each vocation's combat tasks - which Dr Tian termed, "specificity".
Progressive training will begin with recruits familiarising themselves with the obstacles and learning how to overcome them during Basic Military Training.
Tying it all back to the new combat fitness system that emphasises vocation-specific combat fitness, the Vocational Obstacle Course (VOC), which places greater emphasis on team-based fitness and leadership by junior commanders, was also unveiled. In the VOC, soldiers have to clear the redesigned combat obstacles as a section or a detachment and perform vocation-specific combat tasks along the way.
"The redesigned obstacles are more challenging, but they also increase my combat confidence," said Corporal (CPL) Mohamed Syakeer bin Abdul Rahim from 3rd Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (3 SIR).
Echoing his sentiments was Third Sergeant Leroi Lim, also from 3 SIR. "The VOC is more suited to operating within urban environments and more relevant to our combat tasks. The timings are definitely achievable because of the progressive manner in which we are trained," said the section leader who has led his section to well below the pass timing of 18 mins required of his vocation as an Infantry soldier.
Pass timings are determined by the individual vocations' requirements, taking into consideration combat load, required actions by the team members and total distance covered. For example, while both Infantry and Artillery soldiers have to run a distance of 300m after clearing the obstacles, the former simulates evacuating an injured team member on a stretcher. These requirements - determined by a soldier's vocation - account for the differences in pass timings.
"These differences reflect the SAF's efforts to ensure that our combat fitness training programmes are customised to the vocations," said COL Ng.
The VOC has been implemented for all Regulars and Full-time National Servicemen and when they progress to Operationally Ready National Service. This will not apply to current batches of Operationally Ready National Servicemen.
CPL Syakeer believes that the VOC will give him more confidence in carrying out his combat tasks.
CPL Syakeer believes that the VOC will give him more confidence in carrying out his combat tasks.
http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2010/sep/07sep10_fs.html
watch video click here http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/resources/videos/newsvids/2010/07sep10_newsvideo.html
Cancer Killer : # 1
Cancer: The #1 Killer?
Cancer is now the #1 killer of Americans, overtaking cardiovascular disease, and increasing at an alarming rate. In fact, one out of three Americans die of cancer. Even with the billions of dollars of research poured into cancer each year, Western medicine has improved cancer survival rates by only 5% in the last 55 years.
Fear not, peace, understand the facts of cancer cure too from www.cacare.com
Cancer is now the #1 killer of Americans, overtaking cardiovascular disease, and increasing at an alarming rate. In fact, one out of three Americans die of cancer. Even with the billions of dollars of research poured into cancer each year, Western medicine has improved cancer survival rates by only 5% in the last 55 years.
Fear not, peace, understand the facts of cancer cure too from www.cacare.com
Can you remember Ah Kong?
7 September 2010
Film On Remembering, Loving And Understanding Your Loved Ones Despite Dementia
The Health Promotion Board commissions new film to raise awareness of dementia
The prevalence of persons living with dementia in Singapore is currently at 5.2% among those aged 60 years and above, or about 22,000 Singaporeans.
2. To raise awareness of dementia as well as to de-stigmatise the condition, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has commissioned acclaimed local director Royston Tan, to direct a short film on dementia. Titled ‘Ah Kong’, the six-minute film is a moving story on seeing a loved one through the mirror of dementia. The film tells a poignant story of a grandson seeking to understand and reach out to his grandfather who is diagnosed with dementia.
3. The two-minute version of the film will air on Channel 8, Suria and Vasantham on 26 September 2010 while the full-length version can be viewed on YouTube. Please log on to www.hpb.gov.sg/mentalhealth from 14 September onwards for more details. Copies of the film will also be made into DVDs and distributed for free at Poh Kim and VideoEzy outlets.
4. ‘Ah Kong’ is part of HPB’s campaign this year to raise awareness of dementia, destigmatise the condition and educate caregivers to recognise the top three warning signs of dementia:
* memory loss that affects day to day functions
* difficulty doing familiar tasks
* confusion about time and place
5. In addition,HPB will be collaborating with the Alzheimer’s disease Association (ADA) Singapore and Changi General Hospital (CGH) on a new programme called DemACT-HOME, which serves to empower eldercare workers (and family caregivers) in the community to engage persons with dementia at home with meaningful activities. The programme comprises of an assessment, training, supervision and a unique activity toolkit to promote cognitive and psychosocial functioning and wellbeing. DemACT-HOME intends to support the care-giving capacity for seniors with dementia, enable aging and care in place and in the long run, delay the necessity for institutional care.
6. Other activities held in conjunction with HPB’s dementia campaign include informative talks in collaboration with Ain Society, a voluntary welfare organisation and a Memory Walk in November with ADA Singapore to communicate the importance of staying physically active as one of the ways to reduce the risks of dementia. The event is held in commemoration of ADA’s 20th Anniversary. Please refer to Annex A for the full listings of talks.
Visit by Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan to New Horizon Centre
7. To better understand the challenges faced by dementia patients and their caregivers, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan will be visiting the New Horizon Centre, a day care centre for dementia clients, on Tuesday 7 September 2010, 10.30am.
8. We will be pleased to arrange for interviews with HPB spokespersons, Royston Tan and the caregivers on the daily challenges they face in taking care of their loved ones with dementia.
About Dementia
9. Contrary to common belief, dementia is not an inevitable part of the ageing process. Recognising the warning signs of dementia and knowing the preventive and protective factors can help reduce the risk or delay the onset of dementia. These factors include staying physically and mentally active, eating healthily, quitting unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, and being socially engaged.
Film On Remembering, Loving And Understanding Your Loved Ones Despite Dementia
The Health Promotion Board commissions new film to raise awareness of dementia
The prevalence of persons living with dementia in Singapore is currently at 5.2% among those aged 60 years and above, or about 22,000 Singaporeans.
2. To raise awareness of dementia as well as to de-stigmatise the condition, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has commissioned acclaimed local director Royston Tan, to direct a short film on dementia. Titled ‘Ah Kong’, the six-minute film is a moving story on seeing a loved one through the mirror of dementia. The film tells a poignant story of a grandson seeking to understand and reach out to his grandfather who is diagnosed with dementia.
3. The two-minute version of the film will air on Channel 8, Suria and Vasantham on 26 September 2010 while the full-length version can be viewed on YouTube. Please log on to www.hpb.gov.sg/mentalhealth from 14 September onwards for more details. Copies of the film will also be made into DVDs and distributed for free at Poh Kim and VideoEzy outlets.
4. ‘Ah Kong’ is part of HPB’s campaign this year to raise awareness of dementia, destigmatise the condition and educate caregivers to recognise the top three warning signs of dementia:
* memory loss that affects day to day functions
* difficulty doing familiar tasks
* confusion about time and place
5. In addition,HPB will be collaborating with the Alzheimer’s disease Association (ADA) Singapore and Changi General Hospital (CGH) on a new programme called DemACT-HOME, which serves to empower eldercare workers (and family caregivers) in the community to engage persons with dementia at home with meaningful activities. The programme comprises of an assessment, training, supervision and a unique activity toolkit to promote cognitive and psychosocial functioning and wellbeing. DemACT-HOME intends to support the care-giving capacity for seniors with dementia, enable aging and care in place and in the long run, delay the necessity for institutional care.
6. Other activities held in conjunction with HPB’s dementia campaign include informative talks in collaboration with Ain Society, a voluntary welfare organisation and a Memory Walk in November with ADA Singapore to communicate the importance of staying physically active as one of the ways to reduce the risks of dementia. The event is held in commemoration of ADA’s 20th Anniversary. Please refer to Annex A for the full listings of talks.
Visit by Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan to New Horizon Centre
7. To better understand the challenges faced by dementia patients and their caregivers, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan will be visiting the New Horizon Centre, a day care centre for dementia clients, on Tuesday 7 September 2010, 10.30am.
8. We will be pleased to arrange for interviews with HPB spokespersons, Royston Tan and the caregivers on the daily challenges they face in taking care of their loved ones with dementia.
About Dementia
9. Contrary to common belief, dementia is not an inevitable part of the ageing process. Recognising the warning signs of dementia and knowing the preventive and protective factors can help reduce the risk or delay the onset of dementia. These factors include staying physically and mentally active, eating healthily, quitting unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, and being socially engaged.
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