Opening Address by President Halimah Yacob at Singapore Heart Foundation’s 53rd Anniversary Dinner

Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong,

Patron of Singapore Heart Foundation

Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Chairman of Singapore Heart Foundation

Board Members

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good evening. I am happy to join you for the Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF)’s 53rd Anniversary Gala Dinner.

Cardiovascular disease or CVD was one of the leading causes of death in 2021, accounting for a third of all deaths in Singapore. This percentage has been increasing steadily over the years. Early intervention to control the cardiovascular risk factors can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease significantly. This includes controlling of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, smoking cessation and promoting physical activity and healthy eating. Recognising that more can be done to combat CVD in Singapore, a group of cardiologists and professionals came together on a voluntary basis to establish the SHF in 1970. It has made significant contributions over the years, including the donation of the first Coronary Care Ambulance to Singapore General Hospital in 1974, the introduction of Asia’s first ever CPR Self-Learning Kiosk in 2018 and the female CPR manikin vest in 2021, all of which have allowed Singaporeans to be ready during cardiac emergencies. SHF also introduced many public education campaigns such as its signature event – annual National Heart Week/World Heart Day since 1972 to educate Singaporeans about CVD and its risk factors.

The event attracts thousands of individuals each year to participate in heart health activities such as health screenings, fitness sessions, exhibitions, health talks and more. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Heart Week/World Heart Day virtual event saw over 10,000 unique visitors in 2020 and 2021.

SHF also conducted e-learning modules and virtual events for people to learn more about heart health and resuscitation techniques from the comfort of their own homes during the pandemic. For example, SHF started the Virtual Restart A Heart, a non-certification CPR+AED training, where participants learnt chest compression over Zoom.

As Singapore adopts a whole-of-nation approach to prepare for the ageing population, it is increasingly important to focus on maintaining good heart health and reducing the risk of CVD. Cardiac rehabilitation is one of the important tools in supporting individuals in improving their heart health and well-being to prevent recurrence of a cardiac incident. In fact, clinical research has shown that regular participation in cardiac rehabilitation reduces cardiac-related death by over 50% and reduces re-hospitalisation by 25%.

Since the opening of SHF’s first community-based cardiac rehabilitation centre at 10 College Road in 2004, the Heart Wellness Centres have continued to offer subsidised cardiac rehabilitation programme to needy heart patients. The programme has since expanded to three locations at Bishan Junction 8, Fortune Centre and Bukit Gombak Sports Hall, with over 2,500 heart patients and at-risk individuals receiving care in three components - supervised exercise sessions, nutrition counselling and patient education on heart disease condition, treatment and risk factor modification.

I am heartened to know that cardiac rehabilitation has benefitted many, including Mr Edward Lee, a heart patient in his 60s who joined the Foundation since 2012. Today, Mr Lee is able to do regular exercise with good guidance from SHF’s physiotherapists and understands important health tips from the dietitian.

However, CVD does not only affect the elderly, but also younger adults, even those who are active. Mr Shaiful Irwan, 44, a sports enthusiast who treks and cycles regularly, suffered a heart attack but he managed to regain his confidence and fitness with the help of a supportive social environment, a positive attitude and professional advice from the physiotherapists at SHF. After months of training, he even managed to participate and complete the Ace Races UK’s 300km in 30 days last year!

In closing, I would like to thank all of you for your unwavering support in the important work that SHF does for our community, it is because of you that SHF has been able to sustain and grow over the past 53 years. I wish everyone an enjoyable evening.