Good GPs are respected heroes

Professor Chong Siow Ann's commentary may give a new perspective to those who do not think highly of general practitioners (In praise of GPs, unsung heroes of the healthcare system; May 20).

The description of primary-care doctors as being like "the Cinderella of healthcare: overlooked and under-appreciated" is also thought-provoking.

In reality, grateful patients and their families see every compassionate, competent and ethical GP as their hero; they trust and respect him.

Indeed, my late parents were fortunate to have met one good GP - Dr Lau Siew Kee.

To uplift the status of GPs, the medical fraternity should be "Prince Charming" and recognise GPs as great doctors on a par with any specialist doctor or surgeon.

Unfortunately, the recent incidents relating to Community Health Assist Scheme cheats have had a negative effect, and raised a red flag on doctors' greed (Three clinics under probe over errant Chas claims; May 10).

I hope the Ministry of Health can come up with effective and efficient mechanisms to tackle this problem.

Lee Soh Hong (Ms)

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 25, 2017, with the headline Good GPs are respected heroes. Subscribe