Man from sandwich-generation writes to activist Gilbert Goh saying, “Why can’t our government make healthcare cost cheaper for low-income people like us?”

In an open-letter, a man who says that he is part of the sandwich-generation and drives a Grab for a living, wrote in saying that he finds it difficult to make ends meet caring for his parents, spouse and two children.

The man wrote in to activist Gilbert Goh, who published the letter on website transitioning.org.

He also explained how his family of six currently lives in their 4-room flat. Since he drives a private-hire car, he explained that he does not have to make monthly Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions, but at the same time does not have enough in his MediSave account for future healthcare.

He added that whenever any of his family members fall sick, he brings them to the polyclinic. While healthcare here is affordable, it takes up his time, and he does not make as much for the day.

In his letter, the man asked, “Why is healthcare cost in Singapore so high? I have a friend in Taiwan. He only needs to pay about $10 each time he sees the doctor. Why cant our government make healthcare cost cheaper for low-income people like us?”.

TISG has reached out to Gilbert in an attempt to contact the man for clarification and comment. /TISG

His full letter: Hi Gilbert

I am your typical sandwiched generation staying in a 4-room HDB flat with elder parents and my wife is pregnant with our third child.

I gave up my full-time job about two years ago so that I have more time for my elderly parents and two kids. I made that decision because friends told me I could make about the same income of $3,500 by driving grab and I will have more cash as no need to pay CPF. Now I realised it is not so easy. I barely bring back $3k a month after car rental and petrol.

The haze was so bad last week, both my parents and the two girls fall sick one after another. To save money, I brought them to the polyclinic, each time I go there, the waiting time was almost 3 hours. This eats into my driving time. So I lost income and have to spend on medication. I don’t dare to bring them to a private clinic as each visit can cost $60 to $80.

Medical cost is so high now. I am really worried about the medical fee. I don’t have much left in my Medisave. I will have problems if my parents fall sick and need to be hospitalised.

Why is healthcare cost in Singapore so high? I have a friend in Taiwan. He only needs to pay about $10 each time he sees the doctor. Why cant our government make healthcare cost cheaper for low-income people like us?

Tony