Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat discharged from hospital
Heng being discharged from TTSH. (Photo: Facebook page of Heng Swee Keat)
Singapore’s Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, who suffered a stroke during a Cabinet meeting on 12 May, was discharged from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) on Saturday (25 June).
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said that Heng had made an “excellent recovery” and has expressed his “deepest appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff of TTSH and the National Neuroscience Institute for their excellent care” as well as to his many well-wishers.
In Facebook post, Heng said, “The last few weeks were the toughest of my life. I could get through this time because of the strong support from my family, great medical care, and the kindness from all of you.”
“I am so thankful too to the SCDF (Singapore Civil Defence Force) crew who saved me. Anyone who is helped by our hospitals and the SCDF is in good hands,” he added.
A video on Heng’s Facebook page showed the minister on his feet thanking TTSH medical staff during the discharge process.
Rest and recovery
Heng’s stroke was caused by an aneurysm, which is a localised weakening of a blood vessel. He underwent a successful endovascular coil embolisation on the day of the stroke and was also treated for a lung infection.
According to the PMO statement, he will be on medical leave during his rehabilitation process and has been advised against receiving visitors, so as to minimise the chance of infection.
In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said, “I know from personal experience that recovering from serious illnesses takes time. I have advised Swee Keat to take things step by step. No constant checking of his email or his phone!”
“For now, doctors say no visitors, no work, focus on rehab so I can recover fully. I may not be able to reply to your messages. But be assured that I’m reading them all, and your good wishes give me strength,” said Heng in his post.
Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam will continue to cover Heng’s duties, said the PMO.
