Polytechnic lecturer dies after collapsing at school

it is truly sad to read in today's edition of the new paper that another young life has gone too soon and in this case, ms jacqueline ho, a singapore polytechnic lecturer in her 40s who collapsed in school along the corridor outside her office. the new paper reported that she suffered from a heart attack.

the report also said the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) responded to a call at 11:06am and, upon arrival nine minutes later, found that ms ho had no pulse and was not breathing, upon which an automated external defibrillator was used on her. they took her to the National University Hospital (NUH) while giving her cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) along the way.

ms ho died in NUH soon after.

my comments:

i believe each and every time we read about someone who is gone too soon, our hearts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones.

for those who die suddenly, perhaps the only positive aspect is that the person need not have to go through a long and arduous period of suffering and incurring big or even huge medical bills. and i remember how my late beloved younger brother who not only suffered for 9 long months (in and out of hospital) but the final medical bill came to more than $300,000 not counting the loss of dual incomes, including his beloved wife who became his 24/7 care giver from the date of diagnosis of his late stage cancer.

whilst on this subject, i have come across prospects who have taken up specifically stand-alone 30 critical illness protection products which provides for a payout of the sum assured upon diagnosis of the 30 specified critical illness but is not aware that the payout is contingent on fulfilling first, the specified survival period from the date of diagnosis of the critical illness and then, meeting other terms and conditions before the claim can be admitted and paid. this survival period can be as short as 7 days, or 14 days or even 30 days. for example, in axa life's living enhancer plan:

"benefits are paid only if the life assured survives at least 7 days from the date of diagnosis of the critical illness while the policy is in-force."

therefore, taking up a stand-alone 30 critical illness protection plan comes with an inherent risk of dying suddenly and not meeting first the specified survival period and hence, no benefit will be payable.