He said: '...the doctor is today not paid for ensuring the patient controls his diet and exercises regularly, which may be the most important thing to do'.

This last paragraph of his speech, I applaud as the most enlightened I have read in a long while; a refreshing well-thought through principle in what has primarily been a debate on cost-efficiency, and implementation of health policy.

I call on the Singapore Medical Association to respond to Mr Khaw's challenge and not just insurance companies to 'incentivise' their clients to hold up the carrot of bonuses and reduced deductibles for clients who are proactive in their own mental and physical health care.

Companies which are also stakeholders should take note of this fundamental principle of co-responsibility and explore, expand their counselling and well-being programmes for their workers.

There is both a collective responsibility of stakeholders as well as an individual responsibility to ensure the health-care system here serves the people who can serve themselves best while still making provisions that would take care of those who can't.

In the meantime, implementation and fine-tuning of day-to-day administration and weaknesses in operations will continue to be highlighted in the media by ordinary people who will provide feedback to health-care providers and policy architects that they may continue to improve cost-effective and more efficient services.

I thank the tireless workers in the service of our sick - the nurses whose commitment to their vocation and calling, especially in times of crisis, has been nothing short of admirable and at times inspirational.

Catherine Lim Suat Hong (Ms)