Gift pack for babies born next year to celebrate S’pore’s 50th birthday
BY JOY FANG
PUBLISHED: APRIL 2, 6:20 AM(PAGE 1 OF 1) - PAGINATE
SINGAPORE — With ideas from the public pouring in on ways to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Republic’s independence, it was announced yesterday that all Singaporean babies born next year, including those born overseas, will receive a gift pack from the Government that could consist of practical and commemorative items.
The National Population and Talent Division (NPTD), which will fund the Jubilee Baby Gift, is calling for suggestions on the items to be included in the gift pack. It has ruled out giving cash handouts, as parents of newborns already receive monetary incentives under the existing Marriage and Parenthood Package.
There could be about five to 10 items and the idea is to make the gift pack “a meaningful, significant (and) tangible keepsake with heritage value”, the NPTD said. Among the gift ideas thrown up at a focus group discussion yesterday were a chain with a key, baby shoes and bibs, while Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Grace Fu suggested a sarong with a national flag motif, which she felt is practical — parents can use it to carry their child or during breastfeeding — and signifies a parental bond.
Separately, the two-month call for celebration ideas from the public — which ended on March 23 — has garnered a wide range of suggestions including organising a local music festival, reviving the Kallang Roar at the new National Stadium and holding nationwide quizzes on the Republic’s history.
A spokesman for the Singapore50 (SG50) Programme Office Secretariat said it is looking through all the ideas submitted via the various platforms to see how they can be incorporated into the celebration plans under the respective SG50 committees.
To date, the secretariat has also received almost 60 formal applications to tap the SG50 Celebration Fund, which was set up to seek and support meaningful ground-up initiatives. The applications ranged from charity and volunteerism initiatives to music and visual arts platforms. Applications for the fund are open until Aug 31 next year.
Speaking at the focus group discussion, Ms Fu described the gift pack as the nation’s little birthday surprise. “As we celebrate Singapore’s past and honour the contributions of our pioneer generation, we also set our sights on the future ... our Golden Jubilee babies symbolise our hopes and aspirations for the Singapore of tomorrow,” she said.
The public can submit ideas through the Jubilee Baby Gift’s microsite (http://www.nptd.gov.sg/jubilee) or at feedback booths islandwide until April 15. The first two booths will be set up at Jurong Point on April 5 and 6, and at VivoCity on April 12 and 13.
Singaporeans can also register their interest to participate in focus groups on what to include in the gift pack by emailing outreach@reach.gov.sg.
Between April 18 and May 15, the suggestions will be collated and curated in consultation with a five-member advisory panel comprising people-sector and community representatives. The panel, which will advise on the suitability of the items and the design, will be chaired by Ms Anita Fam, who serves on the council of Families for Life.
During this period, the public can vote on the shortlisted items.
Responding to TODAY’s queries, an NPTD spokesperson said: “We envision the gift to consist of a small package of items that newborns in 2015 could use in their early years. It would also have commemorative elements and serve as a token from our current generation to the next.”
She added: “As parents of Singaporean newborns already receive a cash gift under the existing Marriage and Parenthood Package, there is no intention to have a cash gift as one of the items.”
The budget for the gift pack will be finalised after the public engagement efforts are completed.
There were 32,000 citizen births last year and the NPTD expects the figure to remain about the same next year, although it is hoping for more.
“I don’t think parents would have children just for the gifts, but I think if we can all celebrate family and newborns, we hope it would encourage more to think about having their own family,” said Ms Fu.
(PAGE 1 OF 1) - PAGINATE
- wong chee tat :)
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Terence Cao happy to be a father
Terence Cao happy to be a father
By Han Wei Chou | Posted: 05 December 2012 1726 hrs
SINGAPORE: A woman from Shanghai came to Singapore in October and claimed that Singapore actor Terence Cao is the father of her 19-month-old daughter.
Cao confirmed on Wednesday through his lawyer that a DNA test has been conducted on the child, and that he is indeed the child's father.
"Initially it was a shock but now he is happy. He is happy to know that he is a father," said Cao's lawyer Sunil Singh Panoo.
He went on to reveal that they are now negotiating with the child's mother over child maintenance issues.
"His stand from the very start is that so long as he is the father, he will pay, so long as the amount is reasonable," said Cao's lawyer.
He expressed that the amount of child maintenance Cao pays will depend on the income level of both parties as well as "the child's reasonable expenses".
-CNA/h
- wong chee tat :)
By Han Wei Chou | Posted: 05 December 2012 1726 hrs
SINGAPORE: A woman from Shanghai came to Singapore in October and claimed that Singapore actor Terence Cao is the father of her 19-month-old daughter.
Cao confirmed on Wednesday through his lawyer that a DNA test has been conducted on the child, and that he is indeed the child's father.
"Initially it was a shock but now he is happy. He is happy to know that he is a father," said Cao's lawyer Sunil Singh Panoo.
He went on to reveal that they are now negotiating with the child's mother over child maintenance issues.
"His stand from the very start is that so long as he is the father, he will pay, so long as the amount is reasonable," said Cao's lawyer.
He expressed that the amount of child maintenance Cao pays will depend on the income level of both parties as well as "the child's reasonable expenses".
-CNA/h
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Kate and Prince William expecting a baby
Kate and Prince William expecting a baby
Posted: 04 December 2012 0028 hrs
LONDON: Prince William's wife Catherine is expecting a baby and is in hospital suffering severe morning sickness, St James's Palace announced on Monday.
The royal family are "delighted" by the news of the baby, who would be the third in line to the British throne currently occupied by Queen Elizabeth II.
"Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby," St James's Palace said in a statement.
"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news."
William, the son of heir to the throne Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, married the former Kate Middleton in April 2011 and there has been intense speculation about when the couple, who are both 30, would have a baby.
The statement added: "The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (severe morning sickness).
"As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter."
The palace refused to say exactly when the couple became aware she was expecting a baby, saying that it was only "recently".
But Britain's Press Association news agency reported that the pregnancy has not passed the 12-week point, the traditional time for making a pregnancy public, and the announcement was prompted by Kate's medical condition.
"The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with Hyperemesis Gravidarum," the statement said.
It defined the condition as "very acute morning sickness, which requires supplementary hydration and nutrients".
"As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter," the statement said.
The statement said the queen, her husband Prince Philip, William's father Prince Charles, Charles's wife Camilla, William's brother Prince Harry "and members of both families are delighted with the news."
The baby would be third in line to the throne after Charles and William, irrespective of whether it is a girl or a boy following a change of the rules of succession last year.
Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "delighted" and the royal couple would make "wonderful parents".
Speculation about a royal pregnancy intensified last week when the couple were given a baby's romper suit during their first visit together to Cambridge, the historic English university city which is home to their dukedom.
William laughed and said "I'll keep that" after accepting the tiny hand-stitched outfit with the words "Daddy's little co-pilot", a reference to his job as a Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter pilot.
The baby news comes just over one year since Commonwealth nations agreed to scrap centuries-old laws barring first-born daughters from inheriting the British throne.
The 1701 Act of Settlement had formalised the policy of male primogeniture, although the tradition dates back even further to feudal times and beyond.
Under the law, female heirs to the throne had been passed over if younger male heirs were available.
The queen, whose husband Prince Philip is officially titled the Duke of Edinburgh, was crowned in 1953 only because she did not have any brothers.
Royal commentator Kate Williams said William and Kate's child would be unique due to its place as the first possible heir to be born after the change in the succession laws.
"I think what's politically and constitutionally important is that this child, whether it's a little girl or a little boy, will come to the throne," she told the BBC.
Williams added it was an "ideal time" for the couple to have a baby following months of public duties with the London Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee marking the queen's 60th year on the throne.
The speculation about a baby has been particularly intense because Britain's royals have had a habit of producing heirs to the throne soon after marrying.
William was born barely 11 months after his mother Diana married his father Prince Charles in 1981. Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997 and Charles later married Camilla, now known as the Duchess of Cornwall.
And Prince Charles himself was born almost exactly a year after his parents married in 1947.
- AFP/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 04 December 2012 0028 hrs
LONDON: Prince William's wife Catherine is expecting a baby and is in hospital suffering severe morning sickness, St James's Palace announced on Monday.
The royal family are "delighted" by the news of the baby, who would be the third in line to the British throne currently occupied by Queen Elizabeth II.
"Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting a baby," St James's Palace said in a statement.
"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Harry and members of both families are delighted with the news."
William, the son of heir to the throne Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana, married the former Kate Middleton in April 2011 and there has been intense speculation about when the couple, who are both 30, would have a baby.
The statement added: "The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (severe morning sickness).
"As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter."
The palace refused to say exactly when the couple became aware she was expecting a baby, saying that it was only "recently".
But Britain's Press Association news agency reported that the pregnancy has not passed the 12-week point, the traditional time for making a pregnancy public, and the announcement was prompted by Kate's medical condition.
"The Duchess was admitted this afternoon to King Edward VII Hospital in Central London with Hyperemesis Gravidarum," the statement said.
It defined the condition as "very acute morning sickness, which requires supplementary hydration and nutrients".
"As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter," the statement said.
The statement said the queen, her husband Prince Philip, William's father Prince Charles, Charles's wife Camilla, William's brother Prince Harry "and members of both families are delighted with the news."
The baby would be third in line to the throne after Charles and William, irrespective of whether it is a girl or a boy following a change of the rules of succession last year.
Prime Minister David Cameron said he was "delighted" and the royal couple would make "wonderful parents".
Speculation about a royal pregnancy intensified last week when the couple were given a baby's romper suit during their first visit together to Cambridge, the historic English university city which is home to their dukedom.
William laughed and said "I'll keep that" after accepting the tiny hand-stitched outfit with the words "Daddy's little co-pilot", a reference to his job as a Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter pilot.
The baby news comes just over one year since Commonwealth nations agreed to scrap centuries-old laws barring first-born daughters from inheriting the British throne.
The 1701 Act of Settlement had formalised the policy of male primogeniture, although the tradition dates back even further to feudal times and beyond.
Under the law, female heirs to the throne had been passed over if younger male heirs were available.
The queen, whose husband Prince Philip is officially titled the Duke of Edinburgh, was crowned in 1953 only because she did not have any brothers.
Royal commentator Kate Williams said William and Kate's child would be unique due to its place as the first possible heir to be born after the change in the succession laws.
"I think what's politically and constitutionally important is that this child, whether it's a little girl or a little boy, will come to the throne," she told the BBC.
Williams added it was an "ideal time" for the couple to have a baby following months of public duties with the London Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee marking the queen's 60th year on the throne.
The speculation about a baby has been particularly intense because Britain's royals have had a habit of producing heirs to the throne soon after marrying.
William was born barely 11 months after his mother Diana married his father Prince Charles in 1981. Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997 and Charles later married Camilla, now known as the Duchess of Cornwall.
And Prince Charles himself was born almost exactly a year after his parents married in 1947.
- AFP/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, December 3, 2012
Endorsement deals roll in for Stefanie Sun’s son
Monday, 03 December 2012 11:34
Endorsement deals roll in for Stefanie Sun’s son
Local songstress Stefanie Sun’s son may have just turned one month old, but little Nadim (nicknamed after her husband Nadim van der Ros) has eight different baby product companies vying for endorsement deals with his mum. These deals are reportedly worth S$6.38 million in total, making him the “highest earning” baby this year.
Under the precious care of the whole family, little Nadim’s weight has crossed a healthy 5 kg mark and he will remain cloaked in anonymity for the time being, according to Stefanie’s spokesperson. “Actually the baby’s name has already been decided, but Stefanie does not wish to announce it yet and she hopes to be given a little more space.”
That aside, having turned a month old recently, Stefanie’s bundle of joy has received blessings from local and overseas friends alike. As part of the baby’s full-month celebration, the first-time mummy distributed cakes to friends in Singapore and Taiwan; the 34-year-old got her Taiwanese manager to order 20 boxes of cakes to be distributed to her friends there.
Ever since Stefanie gave birth on October 30, the only news fans had of the local songbird was a heartwarming picture of her and her baby’s hands, inviting many requests for her to share more images.
However, as Stefanie is said to have caught a flu and fever due to exhaustion, she is unable to grant her fans’ wishes. Her family has hired a confinement helper to assist in looking after both mother and baby.
- wong chee tat :)
Endorsement deals roll in for Stefanie Sun’s son
Local songstress Stefanie Sun’s son may have just turned one month old, but little Nadim (nicknamed after her husband Nadim van der Ros) has eight different baby product companies vying for endorsement deals with his mum. These deals are reportedly worth S$6.38 million in total, making him the “highest earning” baby this year.
Under the precious care of the whole family, little Nadim’s weight has crossed a healthy 5 kg mark and he will remain cloaked in anonymity for the time being, according to Stefanie’s spokesperson. “Actually the baby’s name has already been decided, but Stefanie does not wish to announce it yet and she hopes to be given a little more space.”
That aside, having turned a month old recently, Stefanie’s bundle of joy has received blessings from local and overseas friends alike. As part of the baby’s full-month celebration, the first-time mummy distributed cakes to friends in Singapore and Taiwan; the 34-year-old got her Taiwanese manager to order 20 boxes of cakes to be distributed to her friends there.
Ever since Stefanie gave birth on October 30, the only news fans had of the local songbird was a heartwarming picture of her and her baby’s hands, inviting many requests for her to share more images.
However, as Stefanie is said to have caught a flu and fever due to exhaustion, she is unable to grant her fans’ wishes. Her family has hired a confinement helper to assist in looking after both mother and baby.
- wong chee tat :)
Is This the World’s Most Beautiful Woman?
Is This the World’s Most Beautiful Woman?
Science suggests 18-year-old Florence Colgate just might be.
The ratio of the distance between her ears to the distance between her pupils is nearly 2:1 — the scientific ideal. Furthermore, the distance between her eyes to her mouth is just under a third of the distance from her hairline to her chin — another measure of perfect pulchritude.
The Deal, Kent native and her nearly symmetrical mug were recently named winners of "Lorraine: Naked" — a "natural beauty" contest organized by ITV's lifestyle program Lorraine. To win, some 8,000 entrants had to rely on their God-given good looks: No make-up or cosmic enhancements of any kind were allowed.
In addition to being crowned "Britain's most beautiful face," the Dover Grammar School senior and part-time chip shop employee will be featured in a nationwide ad campaign for beauty and health retailer Superdrug.
"Florence has all the classic signs of beauty," said Carmen Lefèvre of the Perception Lab at the University of St Andrews' School of Psychology. "She has large eyes, high cheekbones, full lips and a fair complexion. Symmetry appears to be a very important cue to attractiveness."
[photo via Facebook]
- wong chee tat :)
The ratio of the distance between her ears to the distance between her pupils is nearly 2:1 — the scientific ideal. Furthermore, the distance between her eyes to her mouth is just under a third of the distance from her hairline to her chin — another measure of perfect pulchritude.
The Deal, Kent native and her nearly symmetrical mug were recently named winners of "Lorraine: Naked" — a "natural beauty" contest organized by ITV's lifestyle program Lorraine. To win, some 8,000 entrants had to rely on their God-given good looks: No make-up or cosmic enhancements of any kind were allowed.
In addition to being crowned "Britain's most beautiful face," the Dover Grammar School senior and part-time chip shop employee will be featured in a nationwide ad campaign for beauty and health retailer Superdrug.
"Florence has all the classic signs of beauty," said Carmen Lefèvre of the Perception Lab at the University of St Andrews' School of Psychology. "She has large eyes, high cheekbones, full lips and a fair complexion. Symmetry appears to be a very important cue to attractiveness."
[photo via Facebook]
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Experts caution against toddlers getting too familiar with devices
Experts caution against toddlers getting too familiar with devices
By Evelyn Lam, Dylan Loh | Posted: 24 November 2012 2242 hrs
SINGAPORE: Experts have cautioned against letting toddlers three years old and below, get too familiar with mobile devices.
They said it might hamper their ability to learn as they grow.
Three-year-old Randy Smith has been playing with an iPad since the age of two, and his parents said he is quite familiar with some of the more advanced features in the mobile device.
Experts said children this young should spend more time interacting with their physical environment.
They said interacting too much with a virtual interface could interfere with a child's ability to understand the world around him.
Colin Smith, father of Randy Smith, said: "There was once when we just left him (Randy) to go to bed with an iPad.
"We didn't check on him till about two hours later because both of us were working at home and when we got to him, we found that he had been playing for the past two hours and didn't want to go to sleep."
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
By Evelyn Lam, Dylan Loh | Posted: 24 November 2012 2242 hrs
SINGAPORE: Experts have cautioned against letting toddlers three years old and below, get too familiar with mobile devices.
They said it might hamper their ability to learn as they grow.
Three-year-old Randy Smith has been playing with an iPad since the age of two, and his parents said he is quite familiar with some of the more advanced features in the mobile device.
Experts said children this young should spend more time interacting with their physical environment.
They said interacting too much with a virtual interface could interfere with a child's ability to understand the world around him.
Colin Smith, father of Randy Smith, said: "There was once when we just left him (Randy) to go to bed with an iPad.
"We didn't check on him till about two hours later because both of us were working at home and when we got to him, we found that he had been playing for the past two hours and didn't want to go to sleep."
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
竹脚妇幼医院两名新生婴儿出院时被对调
Updated: 11/20/2012 07:41
竹脚妇幼医院两名新生婴儿出院时被对调
这两名新生婴儿是昨天出院。不过，院方搞乱两人的身份，直到其中一名家长发现婴儿身上的标签，写着另一名产妇的名字时，才揭发这起事件。
竹脚妇幼医院发生乌龙事件，两名新生婴儿出院时被对调。
这两名新生婴儿是昨天出院。不过，院方搞乱两人的身份，直到其中一名家长发现婴儿身上的标签，写着另一名产妇的名字时，才揭发这起事件。
院方在接获通知后，立刻展开调查，确认两名新生婴儿母亲的身份。目前，两名婴儿已经同亲生母亲团聚，他们情况良好。院方对事件感到遗憾，并展开彻底调查。院方也为两家人提供医药和心理上的援助。
医院非常严肃看待这起事件，并对事件展开全面检讨，院方也已经通知卫生部。医院向受影响的父母致歉，并承诺会采取所有必要措施，避免类似事件发生。
- wong chee tat :)
竹脚妇幼医院两名新生婴儿出院时被对调
这两名新生婴儿是昨天出院。不过，院方搞乱两人的身份，直到其中一名家长发现婴儿身上的标签，写着另一名产妇的名字时，才揭发这起事件。
竹脚妇幼医院发生乌龙事件，两名新生婴儿出院时被对调。
这两名新生婴儿是昨天出院。不过，院方搞乱两人的身份，直到其中一名家长发现婴儿身上的标签，写着另一名产妇的名字时，才揭发这起事件。
院方在接获通知后，立刻展开调查，确认两名新生婴儿母亲的身份。目前，两名婴儿已经同亲生母亲团聚，他们情况良好。院方对事件感到遗憾，并展开彻底调查。院方也为两家人提供医药和心理上的援助。
医院非常严肃看待这起事件，并对事件展开全面检讨，院方也已经通知卫生部。医院向受影响的父母致歉，并承诺会采取所有必要措施，避免类似事件发生。
- wong chee tat :)
Hospitals rely on tags, staff, parents to prevent mix-up of babies
Hospitals rely on tags, staff, parents to prevent mix-up of babies
By Sing Geok Shan | Posted: 20 November 2012 2153 hrs
SINGAPORE: Hospitals in Singapore have in place robust procedures to ensure that parents do not go home with the wrong baby.
But they also rely on staff and parents to prevent mistakes.
Channel NewsAsia checked with five hospitals on their systems, a day after KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) revealed its mix-up over two babies who were discharged to the wrong sets of parents on Sunday.
All babies are tagged and are carefully checked to ensure that they are matched with their mothers.
Still, the unexpected had happened at KKH.
The baby who left the hospital first had two correct tags with his mother's name.
The second baby was wearing mismatched tags.
One tag had the name of his mother, while the other carried the name of the mother of the first baby.
This incident has left many wondering why the checks were not thorough enough.
Other maternity hospitals that Channel NewsAsia checked with also rely on tagging.
Each baby is given two tags minutes after birth and when it is time to leave the hospital, staff would check both tags to confirm their identities.
Mount Elizabeth Hospital takes extra simple steps, such as getting the mothers to read out the babies' tags.
It also uses Radio-frequency identification to match baby and mother.
Mount Elizabeth Hospital's chief executive officer, Dr Kelvin Loh, said: "Only if the baby goes off the correct mother, the tag will give off a pleasant chime.
"If the baby goes to the wrong mother, it will actually sound off an alarm so that will be an additional mechanism that will help to match the baby to the right mother."
At least one other hospital is looking at using new technology to ensure that newborn babies are paired with the right mothers.
KKH is still investigating the mix-up and is working with the health ministry to ensure this will be the only and last mix-up incident.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
By Sing Geok Shan | Posted: 20 November 2012 2153 hrs
SINGAPORE: Hospitals in Singapore have in place robust procedures to ensure that parents do not go home with the wrong baby.
But they also rely on staff and parents to prevent mistakes.
Channel NewsAsia checked with five hospitals on their systems, a day after KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) revealed its mix-up over two babies who were discharged to the wrong sets of parents on Sunday.
All babies are tagged and are carefully checked to ensure that they are matched with their mothers.
Still, the unexpected had happened at KKH.
The baby who left the hospital first had two correct tags with his mother's name.
The second baby was wearing mismatched tags.
One tag had the name of his mother, while the other carried the name of the mother of the first baby.
This incident has left many wondering why the checks were not thorough enough.
Other maternity hospitals that Channel NewsAsia checked with also rely on tagging.
Each baby is given two tags minutes after birth and when it is time to leave the hospital, staff would check both tags to confirm their identities.
Mount Elizabeth Hospital takes extra simple steps, such as getting the mothers to read out the babies' tags.
It also uses Radio-frequency identification to match baby and mother.
Mount Elizabeth Hospital's chief executive officer, Dr Kelvin Loh, said: "Only if the baby goes off the correct mother, the tag will give off a pleasant chime.
"If the baby goes to the wrong mother, it will actually sound off an alarm so that will be an additional mechanism that will help to match the baby to the right mother."
At least one other hospital is looking at using new technology to ensure that newborn babies are paired with the right mothers.
KKH is still investigating the mix-up and is working with the health ministry to ensure this will be the only and last mix-up incident.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Denise Ho seeks "talented" sperm donor
Denise Ho seeks "talented" sperm donor
Posted: 20 November 2012 1412 hrs
TAIPEI: Hong Kong singer-actress Denise Ho, who came out of the closet last week, revealed that she wants to have a baby, reported Taiwan media.
"Is that impossible to imagine?" Ho told surprised reporters, when she met the media on Monday ahead of the 49th Golden Horse Awards (GHA) in Taiwan.
Ho, who has been nominated for Best Actress at this year's GHA, for her performance in Hong Kong director Johnnie To's crime drama "Life without Principle", said she is currently seeking a sperm donor.
According to Ho, the donor must be "talented, quite good-looking and of good character".
She added that it didn't matter whether it was she or her partner who carried the child to term.
-CNA/ha
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 20 November 2012 1412 hrs
TAIPEI: Hong Kong singer-actress Denise Ho, who came out of the closet last week, revealed that she wants to have a baby, reported Taiwan media.
"Is that impossible to imagine?" Ho told surprised reporters, when she met the media on Monday ahead of the 49th Golden Horse Awards (GHA) in Taiwan.
Ho, who has been nominated for Best Actress at this year's GHA, for her performance in Hong Kong director Johnnie To's crime drama "Life without Principle", said she is currently seeking a sperm donor.
According to Ho, the donor must be "talented, quite good-looking and of good character".
She added that it didn't matter whether it was she or her partner who carried the child to term.
-CNA/ha
- wong chee tat :)
KKH apologises for baby swap incident
KKH apologises for baby swap incident
By Shing Geok Shan | Posted: 19 November 2012 2012 hrs
SINGAPORE: Two new-born babies were wrongly discharged to different mothers at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) on Sunday.
The babies have been reunited with their biological parents and are doing well.
KKH said the incident came to light when one of the parents noticed that the baby taken home wore an identification tag belonging to another mother.
This happened about an hour after they brought him home.
KKH said all babies have double tags, and this baby had an incorrect tag and a correct tag on his legs when he was given to the wrong parents.
The hospital suspected that checks were not carried out properly when the baby was being discharged.
The other baby, also a boy, was with the wrong parents for about 10 hours.
He was wearing two correct tags but was given to the wrong set of parents during discharge.
The hospital informed the parents after a blood test of the first baby confirmed the mix-up.
It has conducted DNA tests on the babies and is waiting for the results.
KKH said on Monday that it deeply regrets this error and is now carrying out thorough investigations to find out how this error occurred.
It is extending full support to both families -- medically and emotionally.
Both mothers have been offered counselling by the hospital.
KKH said it takes a very serious view of the incident and it unreservedly apologised to the parents for this error and pledged to take all steps to prevent any recurrence.
A full review is being carried out, and the Ministry of Health has been informed.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
By Shing Geok Shan | Posted: 19 November 2012 2012 hrs
SINGAPORE: Two new-born babies were wrongly discharged to different mothers at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) on Sunday.
The babies have been reunited with their biological parents and are doing well.
KKH said the incident came to light when one of the parents noticed that the baby taken home wore an identification tag belonging to another mother.
This happened about an hour after they brought him home.
KKH said all babies have double tags, and this baby had an incorrect tag and a correct tag on his legs when he was given to the wrong parents.
The hospital suspected that checks were not carried out properly when the baby was being discharged.
The other baby, also a boy, was with the wrong parents for about 10 hours.
He was wearing two correct tags but was given to the wrong set of parents during discharge.
The hospital informed the parents after a blood test of the first baby confirmed the mix-up.
It has conducted DNA tests on the babies and is waiting for the results.
KKH said on Monday that it deeply regrets this error and is now carrying out thorough investigations to find out how this error occurred.
It is extending full support to both families -- medically and emotionally.
Both mothers have been offered counselling by the hospital.
KKH said it takes a very serious view of the incident and it unreservedly apologised to the parents for this error and pledged to take all steps to prevent any recurrence.
A full review is being carried out, and the Ministry of Health has been informed.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
Saturday, October 27, 2012
New marriage & parenthood measures to be announced
New marriage & parenthood measures to be announced
By Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 26 October 2012 1844 hrs
SINGAPORE: New pro-family and pro-baby initiatives are expected to be announced early next year, in conjunction with the release of the White Paper on Population.
They will cover a wide spectrum of areas, including support for housing, medical costs and childcare.
Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Chan Chun Sing, said beyond monetary incentives, the key is in getting Singaporeans to give as much priority to starting a family as they do to their careers.
He was speaking to the media, sharing priorities for the new Social and Family Development Ministry, which he will helm from November 1.
Singapore's total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.2 is a far cry from the replacement level of 2.1.
The government recently set a new target -- to raise the TFR to 1.4 or 1.5.
Mr Chan admitted it is "a stretch target", but not impossible to achieve.
"If you look at the other equivalent Asian societies, I think quite a number of (their TFRs) are below 1," said Mr Chan.
"If we can encourage and help our people to settle down earlier, and if we can encourage those who have settled down to have their first baby earlier, then it is possible."
He explained: "If you look at it at a very mathematical or mechanical sense, a birth (takes place with) about a two-year interval on average, so if people settle down a bit earlier and have their first child a bit earlier, then they won't run up the biological clock of both the male and the female, and then you will have the chance to reach the stretch target."
The decision to get married and have children is deemed as a personal one, and that is a challenge which the government has to overcome in encouraging Singaporeans to settle down early.
The government intends to promote the joys of family among Singaporeans.
Mr Chan said his ministry will work with agencies such as the National Population and Talent Division as well as the Education Ministry to strengthen the transmission of such values.
He also stressed that families play a crucial role in encouraging marriage and parenthood.
"You give up something, perhaps your ability to travel a few weeks overseas to an exotic place, you may give up some of the other (lifestyle) patterns but you gain something else," he said.
"I always remember this advice, from one of my seniors: there is never a perfect time to get married or to have a child because all conditions are right, but the perfect time is when you have made the commitment to overcome life's challenges with your partner to build a family."
Heeding practical concerns, the government will also roll out new measures under the Marriage and Parenthood package.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned some of them during his National Day Rally Speech in August.
Some measures include more help with housing for young couples, subsidies for infant care and childcare as well as a Medisave account for every child at birth.
Mr Chan said details will be revealed by the individual ministries-in-charge.
- CNA/xq
By Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 26 October 2012 1844 hrs
SINGAPORE: New pro-family and pro-baby initiatives are expected to be announced early next year, in conjunction with the release of the White Paper on Population.
They will cover a wide spectrum of areas, including support for housing, medical costs and childcare.
Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Chan Chun Sing, said beyond monetary incentives, the key is in getting Singaporeans to give as much priority to starting a family as they do to their careers.
He was speaking to the media, sharing priorities for the new Social and Family Development Ministry, which he will helm from November 1.
Singapore's total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.2 is a far cry from the replacement level of 2.1.
The government recently set a new target -- to raise the TFR to 1.4 or 1.5.
Mr Chan admitted it is "a stretch target", but not impossible to achieve.
"If you look at the other equivalent Asian societies, I think quite a number of (their TFRs) are below 1," said Mr Chan.
"If we can encourage and help our people to settle down earlier, and if we can encourage those who have settled down to have their first baby earlier, then it is possible."
He explained: "If you look at it at a very mathematical or mechanical sense, a birth (takes place with) about a two-year interval on average, so if people settle down a bit earlier and have their first child a bit earlier, then they won't run up the biological clock of both the male and the female, and then you will have the chance to reach the stretch target."
The decision to get married and have children is deemed as a personal one, and that is a challenge which the government has to overcome in encouraging Singaporeans to settle down early.
The government intends to promote the joys of family among Singaporeans.
Mr Chan said his ministry will work with agencies such as the National Population and Talent Division as well as the Education Ministry to strengthen the transmission of such values.
He also stressed that families play a crucial role in encouraging marriage and parenthood.
"You give up something, perhaps your ability to travel a few weeks overseas to an exotic place, you may give up some of the other (lifestyle) patterns but you gain something else," he said.
"I always remember this advice, from one of my seniors: there is never a perfect time to get married or to have a child because all conditions are right, but the perfect time is when you have made the commitment to overcome life's challenges with your partner to build a family."
Heeding practical concerns, the government will also roll out new measures under the Marriage and Parenthood package.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned some of them during his National Day Rally Speech in August.
Some measures include more help with housing for young couples, subsidies for infant care and childcare as well as a Medisave account for every child at birth.
Mr Chan said details will be revealed by the individual ministries-in-charge.
- CNA/xq
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