News Update Gain respect, win trust

By Kor Kian Beng

Mr Mah recounted this first-hand experience and other anedcotes to drive home a point: to win trust, one has to gain respect first. -- PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

TO UNDERSTAND the difficulties drivers face in reverse-parking a bus, Mr Mah Bow Tan went behind the steering wheel and learnt how to drive the vehicle.
Mr Mah, a Hainanese, also learnt how to swear in Hokkien. The Minister of National Development did it back in the 1970s when he was a boss at then-Singapore Bus Service (SBS), the predecessor of SBS Transit.
On Thursday, the 61-year-old recounted this first-hand experience and other anedcotes to drive home a point: to win trust, one has to gain respect first. It is crucial and the swift economic rebound recently bears testimony to its sustained importance, he told about 1,800 workers, union leaders and employers at this year's May Day dinner to laud model employers and workers as well as long-time supporters of labour work in advancing the cause of workers.
Indeed, the deep level of mutual trust and understanding among the tripartite partners were the 'most fundamental and abiding' reason for the recovery from from last year's recession, he said. 'If anyone thinks that was easy, just look at the situation in many other countries, where government, employers and unions were locked in conflict, unable to take difficult decisions because they simply did not trust one another,' he added.
The dinner was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong, and Second Minister for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hua. Mr Lim Swee Say, secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress, gave out awards to a record 88 individuals and companies.
Topping the list are former labour minister of state Goh Chee Wee, 63, and veteran lawyer David Wong Chin Huat, 61. Both received the Distinguished Service (Star) awards, conferred only on four others since 2001.

What Happen before 0859 Hrs in Gamu, Isabela

From 2009-12-02

In Singapore when we visit the doctor normally is a single visit point of care dispensing we do not worry about finding a pharmacy which is open and stocked with the prescribed items. Control prescribed items like antibiotic are prescribe by doctor, maybe the advantages like in Singapore most practitioners’ extend responsibilities over their supplied items and offer full refund in case of allergies / interactions Patients are less inclined to hop from one treatment to another. I remembered a case study in Singapore involved a 58-year old lady with Diabetes and borderline hypertension develops acute rheumatism Her GP diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis and prescribed a short course of steroids She got better and sought pharmacist who readily offered further supply, even undercutting GP’s cost Over a short period, she presented with weight gain, worsening of diabetes and hypertension. Another benefit if dispensing remains with doctors is convenience: like me if I  down in flue I  do not have to go somewhere else to buy their medicine and do not have to queue to see the doctor, then go to the pharmacy and join another line to wait for their medicine. I just want to see the doctor, collect their medicine and go home and rest. But doctors had, in the past, spoken out against the practice of separating the two functions, simply because the move could seriously affect their bottom line. Much of the profit a general practitioner (GP) makes comes from the sale of medicine.
However in Philippine company like Mercury Drug they stock items from A to Z from antibiotic to Sleeping pill and having competing pharmacies will bring prices down for patients. In Australia, for instance, pharmacists recommend the best deal for patients.