<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Set up pregnancy fund to curb abortions
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->ABORTION remains a sensitive topic in Singapore. However, we have some common ground. Very few actually think abortion is the best way to resolve unplanned pregnancies.
In a country marked by scarcity of babies but endowed with material wealth, we should consider using that wealth to address the issue.
While the reasons for abortions remain complex, money is one factor. Perhaps we should set up a fund that women can tap during their pregnancy.
At the beginning of their pregnancy, they may apply for it and be paid a percentage according to their last drawn pay, to remain pregnant and place the foetus under 'state custody'.
At term, they can either put the child up for adoption via a government-related agency or repay the amount in instalments should they have developed a bond with the child.
The abortion rate in Singapore is more than 10,000 a year. If we can save 10 per cent, we will increase our baby numbers by at least 1,000.
Financially, this makes more sense than spending a lot of money on campaigns to persuade the unmotivated to become pregnant. Basic economics tells us that in a numbers crunch, we must cut our losses.
Perhaps pro-life-motivated groups could draft a more detailed proposal and ask for matching funds from the Government. We should face the losses head-on, notwithstanding the controversy.
For now, why not skirt the debate and start working on cutting losses and refine the system as we go along? Money should not be the reason Singapore is losing babies every year.
Dr Ng Liang Wei
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->ABORTION remains a sensitive topic in Singapore. However, we have some common ground. Very few actually think abortion is the best way to resolve unplanned pregnancies.
In a country marked by scarcity of babies but endowed with material wealth, we should consider using that wealth to address the issue.
While the reasons for abortions remain complex, money is one factor. Perhaps we should set up a fund that women can tap during their pregnancy.
At the beginning of their pregnancy, they may apply for it and be paid a percentage according to their last drawn pay, to remain pregnant and place the foetus under 'state custody'.
At term, they can either put the child up for adoption via a government-related agency or repay the amount in instalments should they have developed a bond with the child.
The abortion rate in Singapore is more than 10,000 a year. If we can save 10 per cent, we will increase our baby numbers by at least 1,000.
Financially, this makes more sense than spending a lot of money on campaigns to persuade the unmotivated to become pregnant. Basic economics tells us that in a numbers crunch, we must cut our losses.
Perhaps pro-life-motivated groups could draft a more detailed proposal and ask for matching funds from the Government. We should face the losses head-on, notwithstanding the controversy.
For now, why not skirt the debate and start working on cutting losses and refine the system as we go along? Money should not be the reason Singapore is losing babies every year.
Dr Ng Liang Wei
