Walking Through a Heart Episode with Support from SHF

As a kidney patient who must undergo regular dialysis, Mr Mansor bin Rahim, 67, suffered double whammy when he was also diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis last year.

Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis is an obstruction of blood flow across the aortic valve. If left untreated, it may lead to heart failure. In view of his age, Mr Mansor was thus recommended by the doctor to undergo a Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) operation, which would cost him over $40,000 even after government subsidies.

For the family who was already spending $1,850 a month on medical fees, this operation fee would add on to their financial burden.

Mr Mansor, self-employed, has been financing his medical fees with his monthly income and savings. But with increasing age and medical fees, he was worried that his savings will soon be depleted should he stop working.

Through the referral of the medical social worker at National University Hospital, Mr Mansor sought emergency relief assistance from the Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF)’s Heart Support Fund last year.

The Heart Support Fund provides financial assistance to heart patients in the form of subsidy for implantation of mechanical heart devices and heart transplant, as well as emergency relief assistance to help patients adjust to periods of income loss due to sudden occurrence of their cardiac condition.

After assessing Mr Mansor’s situation, SHF granted a $10,000 fund to defray part of his operation fee.

It is with contributions by generous donors to the HSF that heart patients like Mr Mansor can receive assistance and be given a new lease of life.