Imagine doctors being able to precisely assess an individual's health risk throughout his life and customise a health plan just for him. This is what researchers at SingHealth's Lipid Laboratory aim to do through their Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Programme. They are studying the factors that cause heart disease in Chinese, Malay and Indian individuals in Singapore so that the means to prevent it can be identified at very early stages of the disease - even before the individual experiences any symptoms. This is especially important, as there is no cure for heart disease once it has occurred although many treatments, drugs and devices are useful in the fight against the disease. While general methods for the prevention of heart disease are well known, this team's studies are unique in that they aim to identify specific preventive measures that would work best based on each individual's genetic background. With such insight, more effective programmes to reduce risk can be tailor-made to suit individuals belonging to these ethnic groups in Singapore and possibly the region. The programme is one of several critical research programmes such as cancer, diabetes and the neurosciences that the newly launched SingHealth Foundation hopes to fund.
The launch of the Foundation demonstrates SingHealth's continuing commitment and vision to make lives better through quality care.
The Foundation is a not-for-profit grant-making organisation that raises funds for various medical programmes that positively impact medical and healthcare services. It capitalises on SingHealth's many strengths to meet challenges in healthcare service, education and research that will address present and future healthcare needs. For FY 2004, it aims to raise $10 million to support worthy projects in these areas. The Foundation fills gaps in the current healthcare service delivery system by supporting worthy programmes that might otherwise not be funded. Stringent selection criteria ensure that programmes are feasible and will make a tangible difference in the local medical community.
We would like to invite you or your assigned journalist to a media briefing to find out more
about the SingHealth Foundation. To be present at the briefing are:
- Dr Lee Suan Yew, member, Board of Trustees, SingHealth Foundation
- Dr Kwa Chong Teck, Director, SingHealth Foundation
- Dr Tai E-Shyong, Clinician-Scientist, SingHealth & Consultant Endocrinologist, SGH, who will provide more information on the research under the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Programme
Details are as follows:
Date: Friday, 21 May 2004
Time: 10:00 am
Venue: SingHealth Conference Room
7th Floor, Singapore National Eye Centre
Third Hospital Avenue, Singapore 168751
For confirmation of attendance, please reply to this e-mail or contact:
Ms Tina Nambiar
Assistant Manager, Corporate Communications
DID: 6557 4949
E-mail: tina.nambiar@singhealth.com.sg