Khaw Boon Wan - On Life Expectancy

I chanced upon Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan’s blog today and came across an email interview that he had with Shin Min Daily News on life expectancy. This article was carried in Shin Min on 26 September 2009.




Shin Min: What is your personal opinion about a longer life expectancy? Do you have a goal to live until a hundred?

Minister Khaw: Long life is always desirable. Hence we wish each other 长命百岁 (‘long life 100 age’) and 寿比南山 (‘age as long as Nan Shan’). But as medical science succeeds in "adding years to life", we have now moved to the next phase of aspiration, of "adding life to years". Meaning, not simply having a long life, but a good quality, healthy, happy life with financial security and loved ones around you, and without pain or disability. Above all, Premier Wen Tian Siang's comment: "who does not die? Key is do you leave behind a sound reputation" That should guide our lives: we are here to help others and to touch their lives; not simply to enjoy ourselves.



It is very interesting and how true. All of us wish for long life. But will we really be happy when we grow old?

If I have to choose between a long life saddled with sickness and pain, or a shorter but healthier one, I think the choice is clear. All of us would want to grow old happily, healthily and perhaps see our grandchildren grow up and not having to worry about financial security.

So what should we do to achieve all that? ……

Yearly resolutions are baby steps that we can take towards our long term goals… As I sat down to do up my personal resolution for coming year, I am thinking if there is anything I can do to incorporate these long term goals into my resolutions for me and my family.....