Recently, I received one of those chain mail questionnaires and among the long list of questions was one section which asked me to name five things I was most afraid of. Without much thought, I put down as number two on my list: “Rising medical bills and not being able to pay them”.

Yes, even as a 20-something, I worry about being struck by a serious illness and not being able to afford medical treatment, having witnessed first-hand the hospital bills for my family and having undergone a minor surgery myself.

In this issue of Challenge, we bring to you the changes to the MediShield scheme in alleviating this concern of the citizens. MediShield was introduced in 1990, as a medical insurance scheme for citizens. While the mechanics of the scheme were sound then, many years have passed and many things have changed. In order to be relevant, the scheme had to undergo review and changes too.

The need for change pertains to not just the MediShield, but all schemes and initiatives that the Public Service rolls out. We must always ask ourselves whether a particular programme, rule, procedure, initiative, etc., is still as relevant today, as it was in the past, and whether we might be able to introduce changes to make it even more relevant and effective in addressing our citizens’ needs.

Challenge also brings you thoughts from the former chairman of The Enterprise Challenge, Mr Teo Ming Kian, on cultivating an innovative and enterprising public sector. We also look at how some ministries have been innovating and introducing new changes so that they can better fulfil their missions and visions.

Renowned management scholar Charles Handy says that one-third of Fortune 500 companies are unable to sustain their position for more than seven years. What about our Public Service? There is only one Public Service in Singapore, and we must make sure that it will always remain relevant to the needs and aspirations of our citizens. So, ask yourself this question today and every day: How can we do things better?