NSF suffers cervical spine injury during SAF parachute training in Taiwan

[BabyBlade]

Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) full-time national serviceman sustained a cervical spine injury during a unilateral parachute training in Taiwan.

Underwent surgery and is in a stable condition

In a statement by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), PTE Joshua Quek Shou Jie, 21, was evacuated to the nearest tertiary hospital, where he underwent surgery on Thursday (Dec. 19) morning.

MINDEF stated that the surgery had no complications and his condition is currently stable.

Quek is currently being monitored in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and further treatment to stabilise the cervical spine injury is planned. 

An orthopaedic specialist from Singapore has been flown in to help coordinate medical care.

Quek’s family was also flown in to visit him at the hospital. Both parents have spoken with Quek, who is conscious and lucid.

The family has asked that their privacy be respected while Quek undergoes further treatment for his recovery.

Both MINDEF and SAF will continue to render full support and assistance to the family.

The SAF is investigating the incident, and has suspended this training, pending the outcome of investigations.

[RH1667]

Not exactly sure what does the news meant by “ no complications and conditions stable “, but, I wish our guys a speedy recovery. 

[Ash2017]

50 minutes ago, BabyBlade said:

Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) full-time national serviceman sustained a cervical spine injury during a unilateral parachute training in Taiwan.

Underwent surgery and is in a stable condition

In a statement by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), PTE Joshua Quek Shou Jie, 21, was evacuated to the nearest tertiary hospital, where he underwent surgery on Thursday (Dec. 19) morning.

MINDEF stated that the surgery had no complications and his condition is currently stable.

Quek is currently being monitored in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and further treatment to stabilise the cervical spine injury is planned. 

An orthopaedic specialist from Singapore has been flown in to help coordinate medical care.

Quek’s family was also flown in to visit him at the hospital. Both parents have spoken with Quek, who is conscious and lucid.

The family has asked that their privacy be respected while Quek undergoes further treatment for his recovery.

Both MINDEF and SAF will continue to render full support and assistance to the family.

The SAF is investigating the incident, and has suspended this training, pending the outcome of investigations.

the problem is not the current immediate treatment

the problem is when soldier ROD and who will take of his needs eg continuous treatment and later complications 

most people don't know, you get a token sum that barely pays of future treatment or you are on your own

 

[Hamburger]

Commando!!!!!!!!! 

[Fuelsaver]

The aftermath is the real issue.

[Playtime]

Use to be 400 plus million for ft scholarships?

now 200 plus million?

Mindef is 15 plus billion budget 2019 right? all spend for citizens benefit. 

Who dare say no money to give him a comfortable lifelong pension if required must be given one contact rate of pofma arty.

Even worse case... 10k/month for life may also be less than accounting errors. 

 

[Windwaver]

There will definitely be chronic complications probably for the rest of his life.

The definition of 'stable' means no danger to his life but doesn't say anything about his quality of life coming ahead.

 

[BabyBlade]

11 hours ago, Windwaver said:

There will definitely be chronic complications probably for the rest of his life.

The definition of 'stable' means no danger to his life but doesn't say anything about his quality of life coming ahead.

 

Cervical spine injury is near the neck where it's closest to the brain from what i read. I don't know what stable means but probably no immediate danger to his life. But high chance he may be paralyzed. Let's hope for good news from MINDEF.

[Jusnel]

I'm waiting for some idiots to come in to kpkb, demanding the generals to resign and defence minister to bow down in apology. 

Oh, so quiet? Is it because this time is no celebrity? 

[Beehive3783]

If there is any injury suffered by NSFs in the course of their service, MINDEF will give them a medical card which covers cost of treatment and any subsequent follow up treatment for life.

1. Only for that specific injury.

2. If I remember correctly, for polyclinics and restructured hospitals only.

Don't ask me how I know.

[Weez911]

23 hours ago, Hamburger said:

Commando!!!!!!!!! 

Is he a commando? I doubt so because cdo got their CPL rank before the airborne course. Unless something has changed since my army days...

I also got some injuries from parachuting, but this one appeared serious. I hope this boy recovers without complication. 

Some idiot IB above (not beehive not BB) so fast defending his master. 

Edited December 23, 2019 by Weez911

[Playtime]

32 minutes ago, Beehive3783 said:

If there is any injury suffered by NSFs in the course of their service, MINDEF will give them a medical card which covers cost of treatment and any subsequent follow up treatment for life.

1. Only for that specific injury.

2. If I remember correctly, for polyclinics and restructured hospitals only.

Don't ask me how I know.

Personally... if it's just like that,  that kinda offer is disgusting and makes me wanna throw up, no way I would conscientiously be able to tell my guys that it's a fair deal for their effort... and I've seen stuff happen. 

A permanent disability can be 50 years of long journey. Lost potential income , family opportunities,  life quality,  stress of loved ones etc... all unaccounted for. 

Serious injuries will lead to increasing complications as time go by that require specialist care... even full time assistance. That's a bomb of a $$$.

We live in an age where the generals who are political leaders now say they won't serve unless they are thickly compensated with all the  options ticked. Is a betrayal of ns.

Any nsf injured/killed in a non-war scenario MUST be treated way way better. 

[Hamburger]

51 minutes ago, Weez911 said:

Is he a commando? I doubt so because cdo got their CPL rank before the airborne course. Unless something has changed since my army days...

I also got some injuries from parachuting, but this one appeared serious. I hope this boy recovers without complication. 

Some idiot IB above (not beehive not BB) so fast defending his master. 

Promotion to corporal rank and the red beret is kind of two separate issue here. 

 

One can be promoted to corporal rank  after completing the course but might not get the beret if he failed to accomplish the minimum numbers of jumps or certain high profile mission and ippt gold.

[Playtime]

46 minutes ago, Weez911 said:

Is he a commando? I doubt so because cdo got their CPL rank before the airborne course. Unless something has changed since my army days...

I also got some injuries from parachuting, but this one appeared serious. I hope this boy recovers without complication. 

Some idiot IB above (not beehive not BB) so fast defending his master. 

That caught my eyes too... nsf pte on para training 🤔🤔.. how's that possible? Unless commando course changed. 

I've know of nsf non commando who went for para course, but was no pte. It was done at lull period before he rod.

 

I've seen more than I want of accidents by people who were honestly just trying their best with no ill intent. 

Once came across an accident that made my blood cold cos i really belived i was gonna have to break news to his parents... luckily he was ok.. total miracle. 

So i get triggered whenever i see training incidents like this... nsf really really get the shit end of the deal. 

[Kusje]

23 minutes ago, Playtime said:

That caught my eyes too... nsf pte on para training 🤔🤔.. how's that possible? Unless commando course changed. 

I've know of nsf non commando who went for para course, but was no pte. It was done at lull period before he rod.

 

I've seen more than I want of accidents by people who were honestly just trying their best with no ill intent. 

Once came across an accident that made my blood cold cos i really belived i was gonna have to break news to his parents... luckily he was ok.. total miracle. 

So i get triggered whenever i see training incidents like this... nsf really really get the shit end of the deal. 

chill man. I know how you feel.

The aviva insurance that they give is totally insufficient but at least better than no insurance in my day. previously they will get some clown insurance agent to come down and scare you during bmt to make you fork out money from your measly allowance to buy insurance. he will tell you how easily you can die, how your parents will be left with nothing,etc.

 

screw that dog insurance agent la.

[Hamburger]

1 hour ago, Hamburger said:

Promotion to corporal rank and the red beret is kind of two separate issue here. 

 

One can be promoted to corporal rank  after completing the course but might not get the beret if he failed to accomplish the minimum numbers of jumps or certain high profile mission and ippt gold.

Correction here.

To get corporal rank one needed to attain 5 jumps. 

 

But due to the hectic schedule, they can hutang last few jumps and get their rank first.

[Windwaver]

Anybody know what the hell exactly happened?

The people I know from Hendon tells me the usual injury from jumping is usually knees 

[Shibadog]

17 minutes ago, Windwaver said:

Anybody know what the hell exactly happened?

The people I know from Hendon tells me the usual injury from jumping is usually knees 

those who know will probably think twice abt revealing sensitive information.. wait kena OSA like the SCDF-bionix incident.

 

yes knee injuries are most common but spine injuries are not unknown, esp if jump with heavy load.

and this was a night jump. Hard to see the landing.