Compensation for NSmen Injured during In-camp Training

73 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Defence for NSmen who have been injured during in-camp training, exercises or other Operationally Ready National Service (ORNS) duties (a) what is the length of time for which SAF will provide medical treatment or reimbursement for civilian medical treatment; and (b) how does SAF compensate injured NSmen for loss of earnings where medical treatment or medical leave is extended beyond the call-up days under their SAF100.

Dr Ng Eng Hen: For all NS men with service related injuries, MINDEF pays for all necessary medical expenses at government restructured hospitals, clinics and community hospitals for as long as required for the injured serviceman. This includes the costs of medical supplies and equipment, counselling and specialist care. MINDEF's framework for service injury is more comprehensive and generous than provisions specified under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA), which pays for up to one year of medical expenses from the date of the accident or capped at $36,000, whichever is reached earlier.

Further, MINDEF will also compensate injured NSmen for their loss of earnings as a result of any medical or hospitalisation leave, up to a period of two years from the last day of the call-up. Again this is more generous than the WICA where compensation for loss of earnings is up to a year from the date of the accident.

For training-related incidents, compensation for the injured serviceman is also more generous than amounts specified by the Work Injury Compensation Act for the same degree of permanent disability sustained, as MINDEF's compensation is doubled .

Finally, financial assistance is also provided for the families of selected injured servicemen through MINDEF's welfare schemes.