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. My father who is a diabetes patient seeks medical consultation and follow-ups frequently, he noticed his routine checks-up per bill (same examination, same course) is around $37 each time, however just before the introduction of the Pioneer Generation senior card, his normal medical bill rose up to 100% to $74.
With this increased of his bill first and to every patient on the ground, then came the Pioneer Generation card kicked in for medical subsidiaries to the seniors. My father realized with the usage of the pioneer card now his bill returns to almost $37 again. Those who do not seek checks-up as frequent as my father, may not have noticed of the bill step up then the subsidiary (Pioneer card).
On my second account with my father in-law who is healthy, just a few days ago he had throat discomfort and went to local polyclinic for examination. He was referred to Tan Tock Seng Hospital A&E by the polyclinic doctor. At the end of his consultation and headed for payment he flashed his Pioneer card but was told that the card was only used for walk-in and not A&E, hence no subsidiaries can be given. My father in-law, a pioneer senior, therefore paid full sum of his bill at $350, if you still remember even though he was referred by the polyclinic to the A&E, Pioneer card cannot be used in this case too.
These are the 2 true encounters, so is for you to judge whether Pioneer Generation card is really useful, sincere, thankful and beneficial to our Pioneers who built Singapore today.
Lawrence Wee
TRS reader