Long term support for injured serviceman Jason Chee: Ng Eng Hen

SINGAPORE: Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on January 4 visited naval serviceman Jason Chee, who was involved in a horrific accident last month.

He gave the assurance that Mr Chee and his father would be taken care of in the long term.

Dr Ng revealed that doctors from the Singapore Armed Forces have also been in touch with specialists in the US military, who have experience in rehabilitating veterans with lost limbs.

Dr Ng said the aim is to get Mr Chee up and about and be independent, as far as possible.

He posted the comments on the Singapore Armed Forces Facebook page, Cyber Pioneer.

Dr Ng said the Defence Ministry will pay for all hospitalisation and rehabilitation expenses.

"I reassured his dad not to worry about the hospitalisation and rehabilitation expenses — we would pay for all of this. I thanked his doctors and nurses who have been working round the clock to save Jason’s life," said Dr Ng.

He added: "Jason’s dad, a retiree, said that his wish was to be able to live his remaining days together with Jason, without having to struggle. I understood what he was worried about. His wife had passed on two years ago and Jason was their only child. How would Jason and he take care of each other?

"I reassured (the older) Mr Chee that he should not be worried that our support would wane after Jason left the hospital and went home. The SAF and Singaporeans would be there for him and Jason in the long term."

The minister said he has been receiving updates about the 29—year—old’s condition, twice daily.

Dr Ng added it was a moment of "relief and joy" to be able to shake Mr Chee’s hand.

He said he conveyed to the serviceman, how Singaporeans from all walks of life — including those within the SAF, his Shunfu community and his friends’ buddies — were rooting for his recovery.

He also offered words of encouragement, praising Mr Chee for his fighting spirit and urged him to press on.

The naval serviceman lost his legs and left arm in an accident on board the warship RSS Endeavour when he got caught between the ship’s motorised winch and a rope.

As of early this month, public donations for Mr Chee have exceeded S$370,000.

Dr Ng said he is touched by the spontaneous outpouring of donations, sympathy and support by the public.

He added this generous spirit will encourage SAF soldiers and lift their morale as they carry out their duty of defending Singapore.

"We will pray for his recovery. MINDEF and the SAF will be there, giving our full support for the long term. I have been deeply touched by the spontaneous outpouring of donations, sympathy and support by the public. This generous spirit will encourage our SAF soldiers and lift their morale as they carry out their duty of defending Singapore," Dr Ng said.

— CNA/fa/xq