REPLY BY MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, MR TEO CHEE HEAN, TO PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION ON WHETHER ANY ADDITIONAL MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO PREVENT TRAINING DEATHS

Mr Speaker, Sir, Mr Siew Kum Hong* asked, in view of the death of three servicemen during training this year, whether the Ministry intends to implement any additional measures to prevent such deaths.

Immediately after the deaths of REC Andrew Cheah (a full-time national serviceman) and 2LT Clifton Lam (a regular serviceman) on 10 and 11 Jun 08, respectively, the SAF took a 3-day time-out to review its training safety systems. The review established that the systems are good and sound.

As for the recent death of PTE Foo (a full-time national serviceman) on 30 Sep 08, a Committee of Inquiry has been convened and investigations are ongoing.

I want to assure Mr Siew and members of the House that the safety of our servicemen in training is taken very seriously.

Training is progressive and graduated. Over and beyond having sound training systems, there is command emphasis to ensure that our soldiers are well prepared for training and strenuous exercises.

For example, the training schedule is designed so that before any strenuous activity, servicemen get sufficient rest and follow a proper hydration regime.

An attending medic will be on-site during the conduct of the strenuous activity to deliver prompt medical care. In the event of a medical emergency, there are proper and established procedures to deliver prompt and appropriate medical attention to the serviceman.

Apart from this, commanders look out for servicemen who show signs that they are not feeling well. Such servicemen would be excused from training to seek medical attention.

Servicemen are also reminded to tell their commanders should they feel unwell before, during or after any training activity. This is important as it is sometimes not easy or possible to know if someone is not feeling well unless the soldier himself tells his commander.

Mr Speaker, Sir, let me reiterate that the physical well-being of our soldiers is always a priority in the SAF.

At the last parliamentary session, I explained to the House in some detail our medical screening process. To recap, before enlistment, all national servicemen are subject to a stringent and comprehensive medical screening process before they are deployed to vocations in accordance with their individual medical fitness.

While in service, servicemen who are selected to go for specialised courses, strenuous training and deployments are required to undergo a Fitness for Instruction (FFI) examination to ensure that they are physically fit for the task.

The SAF medical screening protocols are continually reviewed by independent panels of medical consultants and specialists. They are comprehensive, robust and in line with good international clinical practice.

Mr Speaker Sir, while the SAF provides tough and realistic training to our soldiers, the SAF also maintains high safety standards to ensure that safety is not compromised.

However, both Mr Siew and I know that, despite our best efforts to reduce risks in training, it is not possible to guarantee that there will be no injury or death arising from it. Nevertheless, I can assure this House that the SAF will continue to do its best to look after our servicemen and servicewomen in terms of medical screening, proper training systems, training safety procedures, and medical coverage during training activities.

They are our sons and our daughters and every life is precious to us.

*Nominated Member of Parliament