This year, Singapore Heart Foundation celebrates 50 years of caring for your heart.
Established in 1970 as the Singapore National Heart Association (SNHA) by a group of 13 cardiologists and philanthropists, the primary role of the Association in those early years was on educating the public about heart disease and its related risk factors. This was carried out against the backdrop of a high incidence of mortality caused by coronary heart disease.
In 2003, SNHA was rebranded as SHF to put in place a fresher and more vibrant identity.
While community education remains a key mission over the years, SHF also started pushing for life-saving initiatives and providing aftercare for heart patients. In this respect, SHF now conducts regular CPR+AED training courses, and runs three community-based cardiac rehab centres in Singapore, bringing rehabilitative care for recovering heart patients nearer to home. Financial assistance is also given to needy heart patients for emergency relief and treatment through the funds we raise.
Thanks to great support from the public, government bodies and generous benefactors, SHF can continue to carry out its increasingly important mission in saving lives and promoting heart health in Singapore and the region, flourishing into a well-established, reputable social service agency.
One of our founding members, now Chairman Emeritus Dr Low Lip Ping recalled: “The first challenge in the earlier years was that we didn’t have a home. The secretariat used to operate from the office of whoever was the Honorary Secretary. “Initially we were also operating on something like few thousand dollars a year. Fortunately, we had well-wishers who donate to SHF and we have to prove to them that their donations go well.”
“Since its founding, SHF has really raised awareness of heart disease and how to prevent it in Singapore. It also runs annual events like National Heart Week, pushed for initiatives such as CPR training, public access to defibrillators, and helped to set up programmes that exist today such as the Myocardial Infarction Directory. I’m very proud to be part of this organisation,” said former Chairman Prof Terrance Chua.
In furthering the mission of SHF, current Chairman Prof Tan Huay Cheem charted three key areas of focus for the years ahead: Active advocacy, Education and Manpower Upskilling. “Given the flux of fake medical news over social media, it is important for SHF to work with relevant authorities and international heart associations, to educate the public with scientifically-proven, evidence-based medical facts. We want to be the source of right medical information to our patients, as well as to the public.”
Founding member, now Chairman Emeritus Dr Low Lip Ping recalled: “The first challenge in the earlier years was that we didn’t have a home. The secretariat used to operate from the office of whoever was the Honorary Secretary. “Initially we were also operating on something like few thousand dollars a year. Fortunately, we had well-wishers who donate to SHF and we have to prove to them that their donations go well.”
“Since its founding, SHF has really raised awareness of heart disease and how to prevent it in Singapore. It also runs annual events like National Heart Week, pushed for initiatives such as CPR training, public access to defibrillators, and helped to set up programmes that exist today such as the Myocardial Infarction Directory. I’m very proud to be part of this organisation,” said former Chairman Prof Terrance Chua.
In furthering the mission of SHF, current Chairman Prof Tan Huay Cheem charted three key areas of focus for the years ahead: Active advocacy, Education and Manpower Upskilling. “Given the flux of fake medical news over social media, it is important for SHF to work with relevant authorities and international heart associations, to educate the public with scientifically-proven, evidence-based medical facts. We want to be the source of right medical information to our patients, as well as to the public.”
In recognition of this grand occasion, we are excited to introduce events leading up to our Anniversary:
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