Many of us have come to know of the dreaded Japanese Encephalitis disease that has taken so many lives in our neighbouring country, Malaysia. Newspapers and television have reports on the this disease daily, keeping viewers up to date on the death toll, the casualties, as well as the new strains of the disease that has infected the pigs, and even the horses. We have seen thousands of pigs being brutally slaughtered, we have seen real people on television who are infected with the disease. We have also seen the agonies and sorrows on the faces of the victims' families and loved ones. Now we know that it may have infected some people in Singapore.
This "tragedy" is very close to home, but most of us fortunate ones will never experience the anguish and agony of one such victim.
Mr Low is a 37-year-old man who works with the Singapore Food Industries handling freshly slaughtered pigs and fresh pork products at the abattoir. On hearing the news of the Encephalitis outbreak in Malaysia and possibly, Singapore, he was advised to go for the Japanese Encephalitis vaccination and he did.
But alas! It was too late and luck was not with Mr Low, for barely 2 days after he received the vaccination, he came down with fever, chills, muscle ache and profuse vomiting and was admitted to Changi General Hospital immediately.
Tests done revealed that Mr Low was suffering from meningo-encephalitis caused by the Hendra-like virus. His condition deteriorated over the next few days and he was warded in the intensive care unit. Just when friends and family were losing hope, Mr Low made a remarkable recovery after more than 3 weeks in the hospital. He was discharged accordingly, but is left with residual mild cognitive deficit in memory and concentration.
All this time while he was in the hospital, Mr Low's Income sales representative has already notified the office of his condition; he has also obtained all the relevant medical reports for claims assessment. The claim for dread disease (Encephalitis) was admitted and Mr Low is relieved of the burden of having to pay premiums for his young daughter's policy for the next 20 years.
Mr Low also submitted a similar claim to another insurance company whom he is a policyholder since 1993. However, to his dismay, the company rejected his claim as his dread disease policy with them does not cover Encephalitis.
Encephalitis is a dread disease which can be fatal if not treated early. Mr Low is lucky to have escape severe disability or even death; but he at least have the peace of mind that his insurance policy with Income covers him for this occupational risk.
Once again, Income has proved to be a caring company and is there whenever our policyholders need us most. We are happy that we did make a difference in Mr Low's life and lessen his burden at the time when he was suffering in pain and anguish from this dread disease.
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