Following the appointment of Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat as the first assistant secretary-general of ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), rumours and doubts about his health have been going around, especially since he suffered a stroke in May 2016. While he assured Singaporeans, “I have made very good recovery, my doctors have given me a clean bill of health”, the very same day he was appointed, many others such as veteran opposition politician Goh Meng Seng, have expressed skepticism.
https://theindependent.sg.sg/heng-swee-keat-my-doctors-have-given-me-a-clean-bill-of-health/
In a Facebook post on Sunday, November 25, Mr Goh wrote, “Thought of the Day – Heng Swee Kiat, are you a God?!”
He continued, “As far as I know, no doctor in this world can guarantee any stroke patient that they will Never have a recurrent second stroke. In fact, statistically speaking, 25%-35% of first time stroke patient will have a second stroke in their lifetime”.
https://www.facebook.com/gohmengseng.freedom/posts/10216057656967397
Mr Goh then added, “So I was pretty shocked when I read HSK said that he is pretty sure that he will not have another stroke again! Is he or his doctor a God or what?”
According to information shared by Mr Goh on his post, the recurrent stroke for a stroke patient within 5 years can be as high as 40%. He also added that within 5 years of a stroke, 24% of women and 42% of men will experience a recurrent stroke.
“This is especially so when he is put in a job that is extremely high stress and demanding!” Mr Goh continued.
To conclude his post, Mr Goh Meng Seng opined, “Well, I guess he must bear in mind that for second stroke, it will have higher fatality and disability rate. He is just not God but human.”
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obbana@theindependent.sg