The death of 19-year-old full-time national serviceman Dave Lee in April led to the formation of an external review panel, which found that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) can improve the prevention of heat injuries and its response to them. While details of the areas of improvement are awaited, it is commendable that the panel, comprising doctors from the public healthcare sector, focused on an area of concern to national servicemen, their parents and the public at large.

This attention is an indication that the authorities take seriously the well-being of national servicemen, who share the load of ensuring the country's security. Although the panel found that the SAF's heat injury policies were sound and in line with industry norms and foreign military practices, any further improvements that can be made will help prevent the next heat injury.