Singapore Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Edwin Tong, previously underwent a procedure to relieve a blocked artery in his heart, and has since been discharged from the hospital and resting at home.
He made the updated announcement on his Facebook page, where he shared that the incident has reminded him to “always count (his) blessings”.
Facebook update
This year, my 54th birthday is a reminder that I should always count my blessings, and there are many of them!
Happy to be home for my birthday and to celebrate at home with my family, along with a few visits from some of my oldest and dearest friends. Topped off with a cake from the office and some festive balloons from ex-colleagues too!
Thank you everyone for your birthday greetings and get well wishes. They are all greatly appreciated and deeply cherished
Previous Facebook post
Over the last few weeks, I have had to deal with a health issue.
As part of a routine health check, my doctors discovered that I had a blocked coronary artery, the Left Anterior Descending. This was significant because it is the main and largest artery supplying blood to the heart, and it was assessed to be severely blocked.
I am neither diabetic nor a smoker, have maintained pretty good cholesterol levels and definitely not sedentary when it comes to daily activities and exercise. So it was quite a shock for me to find out about the extent of the blockage and the risks which it put me under.
I discussed with the doctors and earlier this morning, I did an angiogram, which made the diagnosis clearer, followed by an angioplasty. The LAD was then stented to restore blood flow. Very grateful to my doctors and the nursing team – they are looking after me brilliantly.
I will now recuperate and take things a little slower for a bit before getting back to my usual routine. Will be working from home as much as possible in the meantime.
I have also had to cut down on some of my events and meetings over the last couple of days, on doctors’ orders not to exert myself too much.
I want to extend my apologies for missing various events, and to the event organisers as well, for any inconvenience caused.
Looking back, whilst I was perhaps feeling a little more tired from my regular routine than usual, I had put it down to the hustle and bustle of the schedule. I did not otherwise feel unwell. Nor did I experience any symptoms or discomfort at all, and I also don’t have any specific risk factors. So it’s fortunate that I managed to have this picked up in good time through a routine health check.
This episode is another reminder for us all to not take our health for granted – and to go for our regular health checks!
In the meantime, I will be spending this year’s National Day in hospital. Will have to be cheering the Red Lions and everyone else at NDP through the TV screen this year!
Happy National Day in advance!
PS : got a little get well soon bear from the family!