$6.5m Heartlanders Programme transforms heart failure care

3/25/2025 2:26:00 PM | Inspire

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Lien Foundation and National Heart Centre Singapore partner to bring palliative cardiac care into communities

The Lien Foundation has partnered with National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) to launch a $6.5 million Heartlanders programme, a groundbreaking initiative set to revolutionise heart failure care in Singapore. This collaboration aims to integrate palliative care into cardiology, creating a more holistic and patient-centred approach to treating heart failure and other serious cardiac illnesses.

This programme, launched in January 2025, marks a strategic shift in healthcare delivery, bringing specialised care closer to home in line with Singapore’s Healthier SG vision. By extending palliative care services beyond hospital walls and into the community settings, the programme is projected to enhance the lives of over 9,000 heart failure patients in the next five years. This approach aims to not only improve patient outcomes, but also significantly reduce unexpected hospital admissions.

Singapore faces a pressing healthcare challenge, with cardiovascular disease claiming a significant number of lives. Heart failure rates in Asia surpass global averages, and it is a disruptive illness, even to the young in our population. This philanthropic support from the Lien Foundation is timely and promises to significantly improve public care outcomes and enhance care delivery for this crucial patient group.

A cornerstone of this programme is its individualised care model, where dedicated cardio-palliative care coordinators will work with each patient to understand their personal healthcare needs and goals, tailoring support accordingly. The programme’s reach extends beyond the hospital, through strategic partnerships with primary care providers, community nurses, and rehabilitation partners to create a robust support system for patients in their communities.

Education is also a key component of the Heartlanders programme. The initiative will support the development of a cardio-palliative care course, ensuring that healthcare professionals are well-equipped to provide holistic care to heart failure patients.

Mr Lee Poh Wah, Chief Executive Officer of the Lien Foundation, emphasised the importance of this collaboration: "Palliative care must be a cornerstone of our healthcare system, guided by the duty to alleviate suffering. Far from being for the dying, palliative care embodies the very essence of care."

The Lien Foundation's generous support will not only transform heart failure care, but also redefine patient-centred healthcare in Singapore. “Our partnership with Lien Foundation and community organisations allows us to transcend traditional healthcare boundaries and empower patients in their journey," shared Prof Yeo Khung Keong, Chief Executive Officer, NHCS. “This programme sets a new benchmark for patient-centred, value-driven care in heart failure management, with the potential to transform the nation’s broader healthcare landscape, particularly in palliative care and chronic disease management.”