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Speech by Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Chairman of the Singapore Heart Foundation at its 53rd Anniversary Dinner on 8 Apr 2023
- Three years after the COVID-19 outbreak, we have settled into a new rhythm and adapted to the changes that the pandemic has brought about. It gives me great pride as the Chairman of the Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF) to see that our organisation has emerged stronger and more dynamic than before.
Plans for the future - Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has always been one of the top killers in Singapore, accounting for 32% of all deaths in 2021 . And hypertension is one of the most common risk factors for CVD, and was present in 75.2% of our patients with heart attack in 2020 ! Hypertension occurs in over one in three Singapore residents aged 18 to 74 years, with prevalence increasing with age, from around 17.0% in young adults aged 30 to 39 years to 74.9% in those aged 70 to 74 years . Therefore, blood pressure monitoring and its prevention remain a priority, and SHF will continue to focus on this major risk factor of CVD in the coming year.
- We will be launching a hypertension campaign in May to reach out to Singaporeans both young and old through a series of online and physical activities to educate them about their blood pressure and how to manage it. For example, SHF will work with Bishan East-Sin Ming Constituency Office to set up a Blood Pressure (BP) education booth where Bishan residents can learn how to accurately measure their BP. We have also collaborated with Nanyang Polytechnic to release the results of our Salt Taste Threshold Research later in the year. The study aims to understand the relationship between individual salt taste threshold and hypertension. The research is based on a study of 163 clients participating in SHF’s cardiac rehabilitation programmes from 2020 to 2023.
- Also on hypertension, through our Blood Pressure (BP) Initiative @ Schools, we have reached out to more than 125,476 students and 200,829 family members since 2010, educating them about the importance of healthy blood pressure. I am pleased to share that the school enrolment increased by 112.5% in FY2022/23 compared to the previous year. We are confident that the numbers will continue to grow with the launch of the Sodium Consumer Education programme, a collaboration with the Nanyang Technological University to improve knowledge about sodium intake in everyday life. The pilot run of this curriculum is scheduled to begin this year.
- SHF is also on a mission to involve everyone in strengthening Singapore’s resilience and response during emergencies. We will expand our CPR+AED training outreach to more social service agencies, workplaces, corporate partners and targeted communities such as the foreign workers and SHF is also working with the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Ministry of Health to encourage more public and private establishments to install AEDs and register their publicly accessible AEDs. We will expand AED installation in private estates and landed residential areas where there is a lack of AEDs by working closely with the relevant agencies.
- As we celebrate our achievements over the past 53 years, we are reminded that we are here for one purpose i.e., to be a strong movement to fight CVD through education to reduce mortality and morbidity and to advocate rehabilitation to improve cardiovascular health.
- However, we cannot do this alone and we are grateful to have the support of several partners and key stakeholders. Thanks to their generous sponsorships, donations, and commitment, SHF can continue to provide quality services without compromise.
- As the Ministry of Health redoubles its efforts in preventive care under the islandwide Healthier SG framework, SHF is well positioned to support this national health strategy and empower Singaporeans to protect their hearts.
- As we move into the post-pandemic future, we will continue to adapt and transform to meet the challenges ahead. Together, we can build a heart-healthier nation.
