Launch of nationwide preventive heart health translational research programme for Singapore

健康娜件事: 房颤是什么感觉？ (Anna Health: What does atrial fibrillation feel like?)

Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Chairman, Singapore Heart Foundation, and Senior Consultant, National University Heart Centre, Singapore, shared more about atrial fibrillation, including its symptoms and risk factors.

心脏也会长细菌? 认识感染性心内膜炎 (Do bacteria grow in the heart? Learn about infective endocarditis)

​Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, Singapore, shared about a medical condition known as infective endocarditis that involves infection of the heart valves by bacteria or other micro-organisms. He noted that the incidence of endocarditis is on the rise, particularly as the population ages, with an annual occurrence rate ranging from three to 10 cases per 100,000 individuals.

Health Matters: Troponin levels as an indicator of “heart injury”?

​In a live interview, Asst Prof Lin Weiqin, Senior Consultant and Clinical Director, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Programme, National University Heart Centre, Singapore, discussed a trending news report where HSA disputed the findings in a Swiss study that reported “heart injuries” among a small percentage of people who had received COVID-19 mRNA vaccine boosters.

专家为华语读者现场解惑 乐活廿载 再为幸福开良方 (Experts address questions for Chinese-speaking readers live: Lianhe Zaobao LOHAS continues to prescribe well-being over 20 years)

​This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Lianhe Zaobao LOHAS Mega Health Seminar, where medical professionals of all fields are invited to speak on a range of topics such as chronic diseases and lifestyle lessons. Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant at National University Heart Centre, Singapore, who has been part of the seminars, shared that they provide an important platform for the public to be informed on accurate healthcare information in a rational and scientific manner.

• ZB Online, 6 September 2023,《联合早报·乐活》光华流转廿载 医学专家为华语读者现场解惑 (Lianhe Zaobao LOHAS legacy for 20 years: Medical experts provide on-site answers to Chinese readers' questions)
  

Six senior clinicians, geriatric care team lauded for medical excellence

​Among the winners of the National Medical Excellence Awards (NMEA) this year were Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant and Senior Advisor at National University Heart Centre, Singapore, who received the National Outstanding Clinician Award; and A/Prof Mahesh Choolani, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and Head and Senior Consultant, Department of O&G, National University Hospital, who received the National Outstanding Clinician Scientist Award. The NMEA recognises notable individuals and teams for their outstanding contributions to healthcare, patient safety, research, and education. The achievements of the recipients were made possible with support from their respective organisations.

• CNA, 31 August 2023, Singapore Tonight, 6 people, 1 team receive National Medical Excellence Awards
  

• Lianhe Zaobao, 1 September 2023, 活跃乐龄中心应转型 吸引年长者健康生活 (Active ageing centres should transform to encourage seniors to live healthy)
  

• Lianhe Zaobao Online, 1 September 2023, 王乙康：活跃乐龄中心应转型吸引年长者保持健康 (Ong Ye Kung: Active ageing centres should transform to encourage seniors to maintain good health)
  

• 8world, 31 August 2023, 樟宜综合医院团队 获颁今年全国医学卓越奖 (CGH team wins National Medical Excellence Award)
  

• Channel 8 News, 31  August 2023, 樟宜综合医院团队 获颁今年全国医学卓越奖 (CGH team wins National Medical Excellence Award)
  

Veteran cardiologist helps elevate service standards to world class

In a dedicated feature, The Straits Times (ST) profiled Prof Tan Huay Cheem as a recipient of the NMEA National Outstanding Clinician Award, highlighting his remarkable contributions as an interventional cardiologist at National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS).

The article stated how the Senior Consultant and Senior Advisor at NUHCS has over 11,000 procedures under his belt and continues to perform about 50 to 60 patient consultations each day, thrice a week, and conducts procedures in the catheterisation lab up to twice a week, with monthly 24/7 call duty. ST also detailed Prof Tan’s achievements in elevating Singapore’s cardiology services, including the introduction of the Western STEMI network in the Western region of Singapore, and the establishment of a cardiogenic shock centre at NUHCS.

His leadership has led NUHCS to achieve notable results, including the country's shortest door-to-balloon time, highest volume of patients treated annually, and lowest mortality rate.

Heart failure & COVID

​In a live interview, Asst Professor Lin Weiqin, Senior Consultant and Clinical Director, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Programme, National University Heart Centre, Singapore, elaborated on the possible causes of heart failure in the young. He shared that many viruses, such as the common cold/flu, can cause myocarditis, and that the rate of myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination is not higher than the usual virus, common cold/flu-related myocarditis.

Health Matters: Can one be too young for heart failure?

​In a live interview, Assistant Professor Lin Weiqin, Senior Consultant and Clinical Director, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Programme, National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS), elaborated on the possible causes of heart failure in the young. The interview highlighted how a 24-year-old polytechnic student was saved by the NUHCS cardiogenic shock team using a new treatment approach known as ECPELLA.

Younger people can also develop heart failure

​National University Heart Centre, Singapore is the only public heart centre in Singapore with a multidisciplinary cardiogenic shock team trained to offer a new treatment approach known as ECPELLA, which combines Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and a catheter-based left ventricular assist device (cVAD). The team saved the life of 24-year-old polytechnic student Ms Kang Zi Ying with this approach.

Article cited doctors from the cardiogenic shock team, including Adj A/Prof Ramanathan K.R., Senior Consultant, and Dr Senthil Kumar Subbian, Consultant, from the Department of CTVS, and Asst Prof Lin Weiqin, Clinical Director of the Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Programme, and Senior Consultant in the Department of Cardiology.

Younger people can also have heart failure

​24-year-old polytechnic student Ms Kang Zi Ying was saved by the team at National University Heart Centre, Singapore after experiencing a life-threatening condition known as cardiogenic shock. The team deployed a new treatment approach known as "ECPELLA", which combines Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and a catheter-based left ventricular assist device (cVAD).

Media highlighted that National University Heart Centre, Singapore is the only public heart centre in Singapore with a multidisciplinary cardiogenic shock team trained to offer ECPELLA, and cited doctors from the NUHCS cardiogenic shock team, including Asst Prof Lin Weiqin, Clinical Director of the Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Programme, and Senior Consultant in the Department of Cardiology; as well as Adj A/Prof Ramanathan K.R., Senior Consultant, and Dr Senthil Kumar Subbian, Consultant, from the Department of CTVS.

• AsiaOne, 21 July 2023, Woman, 24, spends 22 days in hospital fighting for her life after sudden heart failure
  
• Mothership, 22 July 2023, S'pore girl, 24, with no history of heart problems has only 10% of heart working after cardiogenic shock
  
• MustShare News, 23 July 2023, 23-year-old poly student suffers heart failure suddenly, doctors spend 10 days rescuing her
  

国大心脏中心团队抢救近10天 理工生心脏几乎停跳 新治疗模式挽回生命 (NUHCS team saves life of polytechnic student using new treatment model for cardiogenic shock)

​National University Heart Centre Singapore doctors stepped in to rescue 24-year-old Ms Kang Zi Ying after she experienced a life-threatening condition known as cardiogenic shock. With her heart no longer able to pump sufficient blood to meet her body's needs, the cardiogenic shock team at National University Heart Centre Singapore deployed a new treatment approach known as "ECPELLA", which combines Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and a catheter-based left ventricular assist device (cVAD), to save her life. After 22 days in the hospital, Zi Ying was discharged well.

Media highlighted that National University Heart Centre Singapore is the only public heart centre in Singapore with a multidisciplinary cardiogenic shock team trained to offer ECPELLA, emphasising the specialised care provided to patients with such critical conditions.

Reports featured doctors from the National University Heart Centre Singapore cardiogenic shock team, including Asst Prof Lin Weiqin, Clinical Director of the Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Programme, and Senior Consultant in the Department of Cardiology; as well as Adj A/Prof Ramanathan K.R., Senior Consultant, and Dr Senthil Kumar Subbian, Consultant, from the Department of CTVS.

Zi Ying's mother also shared that she is very grateful to the team that saved Zi Ying's life.

• Shin Min Daily News, 20 July 2023, Page 9, 女郎心源性休克 心脏功能剩10% 两仪器救回一命 (Woman suffers cardiogenic shock: Left with 10 per cent of heart function but saved by two machines)
  
• 8world News, 20 July 2023, 24岁就心脏衰竭 女生就医惊悉心脏只剩10%跳动 (24-year-old's heart fails; she was surprised to learn that she was only left with 10 per cent of heart function at the time)
  
• Channel 8, 21 July 2023, News 8 at One and Hello Singapore
  

Singapore's cultures can grow stronger by evolving, learning from each other: Tharman

​Former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam delivered a speech at the Singapore Sheng Gong Cultural and Folklore Beliefs Festival, expanding on a theme he had touched on during his speech at the National University Heart Centre, Singapore's 15th Anniversary Charity Golf & Dinner Event where he outlined his vision of a country in which everyone takes responsibility for the welfare of others.

• Berita Mediacorp, 10 July 2023, Budaya SG boleh tumbuh lebih kukuh; serap & belajar dari budaya lain, kata Tharman (SG culture can grow stronger; absorb & learn from other cultures, said Tharman)
  

Singapore should not be a welfare state but a welfare society: Tharman

In his speech at the National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) 15th Anniversary Charity Golf & Dinner Event, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam stressed the importance of not becoming a welfare state but a welfare society. Friday was his last day as Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies. He argued that this approach leads to a more spirited and resilient society where individuals actively contribute to the well-being of others, highlighting the NUHCS Heart Fund as an example of taking care of the welfare of others.

The NUHCS Heart Fund supports financially disadvantaged patients and enables continuous medical research in the field of cardiovascular diseases. With cardiovascular disease being a leading cause of death in Singapore, the fund plays a crucial role in providing financial assistance to patients and supporting research efforts.

Reports on the event also highlighted that NUHCS is setting up community cardiology clinics in the heartlands to work with GPs as part of Healthier SG to provide earlier referrals to heart specialists and ensure direct assistance for advanced cardiac tests when needed. The first clinic was launched at Jurong Medical Centre in January. NUHCS will also support Project RESET, a research initiative leveraging artificial intelligence and data to prevent early heart disease and enhance cardiovascular preventive health.

A/Prof James Yip, Director of NUHCS, emphasised the importance of adopting a multifaceted approach to improving heart health in the community. He highlighted that such an approach has wide-ranging benefits, including enhancing preventive healthcare measures and reducing the overall burden of cardiovascular disease.

• ST Online, 8 July 2023, Singapore should not be a welfare state but a welfare society: Tharman
  

• TODAY, 9 July 2023, Singapore's cultures can grow stronger by evolving, learning from each other: Tharman
  

• TODAY, 8 July 2023, Singapore must never become welfare state, but it can be a 'welfare society': SM Tharman in final Govt speech
  

• Channel NewsAsia, 7 July 2023, Singapore Tonight, More than S$1.2m raised to help needy patients with heart conditions
  

• Lianhe Zaobao, 7 July 2023,  尚达曼卸公职前最后公开活动： 我国不应是福利国家 但可成为福利社会 (Singapore should not be a welfare state but it can be a welfare society)
  

• Lianhe Zaobao Online, 7 July 2023, 尚达曼：新加坡不应是福利国家 但可成为福利社会 (Tharman Shanmugaratnam: Singapore should not be a welfare state, but it can be a welfare society)
  

• 8world, 8 July 2023, 尚达曼：我国决不能成为福利国家 但可以成为福利社会 (Tharman Shanmugaratnam: Singapore must not be a welfare state, but it can be a welfare society)
  

• Shin Min Daily News, 8 July 2023, 卸公职前最后公开活动 尚达曼：我国可成为福利社会 (Tharman during his last public event before leaving office: Singapore can become a welfare society)
  

• Berita Harian Online, 8 July 2023, SM Tharman bersara dari politik (SM Tharman retired from politics)
  

• Berita Mediacorp, 8 July 2023, SG tidak harus jadi negara bergantung kepada pemerintah, sebaliknya masyarakat saling jaga kebajikan bersama, tegas SM Tharman (SG should not be a country dependent on the government, instead the community should look after each other's welfare, stressed SM Tharman)
  

• Newsfounded, 8 July 2023, Singapore must not be a welfare state, but it can be a ‘welfare society': SM Tharman in Govt's last speech
  

NUHCS commemorates 15th Anniversary by raising funds to support patients in need