Chinese naval hospital ship "Silk Road Ark" returned to a naval port in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province on Wednesday after wrapping up a medical mission on the Xisha and Nansha islands, as well as the islands and reefs off the south China coast.
Departing from Zhanjiang City in south China's Guangdong Province on July 10, the hospital ship sailed more than 3,600 nautical miles over the past 29 days, providing diagnosis and treatment for over 3,500 military personnel and residents on the islands and reefs.
"It is very inconvenient for us to get on and off the island, and it is very difficult for us to see a doctor. This medical service at the sea border has provided us with complete medical care. The medical staff offered good services and meticulous examination, which makes me feel deeply the care and warmth of our country for our officers and soldiers stationed on the islands. I will definitely carry this warmth with me, hold on to my post and defend the sea borders of our country," said Li Xiaolong, a soldier stationed on Xisha Islands.
The medical center of the hospital ship made sound patrol plan, preparing commonly used medicines, completing the annual medical checkups for the officers and soldiers, and educating the residents on common and frequently-occurring diseases.
"Through this medical service, I've seen the hardship of the officers and soldiers stationed on the islands and reefs, witnessed their difficulties in seeking medical treatment, and also felt their ardent expectation for our medical services. This has strengthened our determination to help defend their health," said Huang Zhenjun, a doctor with the hospital ship.
Meanwhile, the art team of the hospital ship traveled to each island and reef and staged wonderful shows for the military officers and soldiers.
It is the independently-developed ship's first medical mission since going into service.
With 14 clinical departments, such as orthopedics, general surgery, dermatology and gastroenterology, the ship has the capacity for eight surgeries to be performed and over 300 patients to receive treatment onboard at the same time.
Chinese naval hospital ship completes medical mission on South China Sea islands, reefs
Many Singaporeans support raising the re-employment age, partly to stay busy and active in retirement, and to help address demographic challenges in the workforce.
Like many other Asian countries, Singapore is grappling with a rapidly aging population. The government predicts that by 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 or older, up from one in 10 two decades ago.
A survey on retirement and employment conducted last year in the country found broad support for raising the national retirement age, with about 88 percent of those aged 50 and above in favor.
Some supported increasing the retirement age because continuing to do what they love, rather than retiring, keeps them feeling youthful and fulfilled.
When Nancy Hor, a retired IT operations manager, left her job five years ago, she wasn't sure how to fill her time.
"I'm a workaholic. At the very first stage after I retired, I felt I could not find balance," she said.
Hor, now 70, said it took her some time to adjust. In her spare time, she stays busy line dancing and spending time with her family.
But she said that if she had had the choice, she would have liked to stay employed a little longer.
"I think it's good for the elderly that even they have some job to do, and keep them busy," said Hor.
In March, authorities announced plans to raise the retirement age to 64 and the re-employment age to 69 by 2026.
Singapore's Minister of State for Manpower, Gan Siow Huang, said the changes to the rules protect senior workers from dismissal due to age-related issues before they reach the statutory retirement age. Employers are also required to offer re-employment to eligible workers until they reach the statutory re-employment age limit.
This follows a similar move made two years ago to raise the retirement and re-employment ages to 63 and 68, respectively. The city-state is also aiming for a retirement age of 65 and a re-employment age of 70 by 2030.
"That is to reduce the impact on businesses, so it gives time for businesses to adapt their policy. This gradual increase in retirement age basically provides a framework for individuals like myself, who want to continue to be gainfully employed," said Patrick Chang, a retirement planning specialist and the author of the A to Z guide to retirement planning.
Chang said that businesses will need to make adjustments to accommodate the changes, including offering retraining for senior workers.
He noted that the changes won't impact those who still wish to retire earlier, but given Singapore's demographic challenges, the country cannot afford to remain idle.
"If we don't do it now, the social cost could be high. We cannot wait until the time when we need it today, and then we get something done. It will probably be a bit too late, and the cost of getting to that solution will be higher," said Chang.
Many Singaporeans support raising retirement, re-employment ages
