Bypass That Saved His Life (click on title to view complete article)
Five years ago,Goenawan Endro started experiencing tightness at his chest area and chest pain. He was prescribed medication, told to stop smoking and was recommended to go for a balloon angioplasty. Mr Goenawan took all but the advice to go for the angioplasty.
In end 2005, Mr Goenawan suffered a heart attack. Dr. Irwan saw Mr. Goenawan after his heart attack and suggested he should go through the angioplasty. TMr Goenawan complied. “Dr Irwan is very patient, he is unlike my previous doctors who only instructed me to go for the angioplasty without being able to tell me exactly why I needed to do it. This doctor explained my condition in detail and the need to go for the procedure. After 2 to 3 visits, I finally convinced to go for the procedure,” said Mr Goenawan.
The angioplasty revealed Mr Goenawan had very serious blockages in his arteries – total blockage on his left side and 20 to 30% on his right. Given the results, Dr Irwan advised him to go for a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG). Mr Goenawan finally decided on Singapore after strong recommendations from friends and relatives.
Surgeons performed a successful CABG on Mr Goenawan. Visibly happy with the success of his operation and positive experience at the National Heart Centre, Mr Goenawan gave two thumbs-up to the staff of the National Heart Centre, “The service quality is very good, we felt welcomed and I was well taken care of. The nurses, especially those in the intensive care unit, were professional and kind. My doctor-in-charge, Dr Sin, was very informative and professional as well. I also did not have much problems communicating with him because he could speak Bahasa Indonesia.”
Voice Over (click on title to view complete article)
For three months, 58 year-old Indonesian businessman Aminuddin Halim had difficulty talking. A local ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist referred Mr. Halim to Singapore and recommended for him to consult doctors at the ENT department of Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. Upon further examination, doctors at Mount Elizabeth discovered that Mr Halim’s loss of voice was due to complications from an earlier operation he had in Indonesia on his heart to insert a stent into a blocked artery.
Mr. Halim was quickly transferred to the National Heart Centre where heart specialists were better equipped to manage his condition. After a series of tests and assessment of his condition, doctors at the National Heart Centre diagnosed him with descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, an enlargement of the aorta. This caused his vocal chords to be compressed, resulting in difficulty of speech.
Mr. Halim underwent an operation to correct the problem. Mr. Halim spent eight days in hospital, which he described as a hotel-like accommodation.
Mr. Halim expressed his satisfaction with doctors at the National Heart Centre. “The doctors were very informative. They told me everything that I needed to know in detail. They did not try to hide anything from me. I can talk much better now and louder as well. The nurses were very professional, friendly and caring.”
Breathing Easy Now (click on title to view complete article)
Three years ago, Vietnamese Ty Dieu Tran Chau started experiencing difficulty in breathing. She could not sleep properly at night, and tire and pant easily when she climbed the stairs. Visits to the doctor over the three-year period always ended up with the same diagnosis – asthma. She was given medication to relieve her symptoms. When her symptoms worsened in July 2006,Tran Chau was diagnosed with tracheal stenosis, which is the narrowing and hardeningof the trachea (commonly known as windpipe). She was given a refferal letter to see a cardiothoracic surgeon at NHC. Tran Chau underwent a successful tracheal resection and primary anastomosis after some tests done to assess her condition.
She expressed her gratitude towards the doctors and nurses at NHC. “I felt that I made the right choice by coming to National Heart Centre for treatment. I only have one word to describe the doctors, nurses and the level of service I received – ‘perfect’. After the operation, I only felt fatigue but as for pain, I did not feel any. That’s how good the skills of the NHC doctors. Back in Vietnam, I have never encountered such excellent medical care before.”
In addition, Tran Chau wanted to commend the cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit nurses whom she described as very professional, friendly and caring, “They were very nice to me, and even gave me a small neck pillow to take home when I was discharged. They said I will feel more comfortable using it on the plane.”
Tran Chau’s mother added, “We will tell the people in Vietnam about the high standard of healthcare facilities and medical treatments in Singapore. A lot of people in Vietnam are not well-informed on treatment options. My daughter wants to help the people in Vietnam who do not know about the types of medical treatments offered overseas. She wants to tell them about the National Heart Centre.”
A Hearty Experience (click on title to view complete article)
For three years, Vietnamese Mdm Nguyen T h i Sen experienced shortness of breath and frequent coughing. When her symptoms worsened a year ago, Mdm Nguyen consulted a specialist in Ho Chi Minh City who informed her of an impending heart problem. Mdm Nguyen’s daughter, Phuong Lee, decided to send her mother overseas for treatment. She felt that her mother’s condition was worsening and prompt treatment was required. Phuong Lee’s husband suggested that Mdm Nguyen be sent to the National Heart Centre in Singapore for consultation and treatment.
Phuong Lee booked an appointment for her mother. She underwent a physical examination, an x-ray and a transoesophageal echocardiogram. Following this, Mdm Nguyen underwent a percutaneous procedure to correct a secundum atrial septal defect, commonly known as “a hole in the heart”.
The morning following the operation, Mdm Nguyen was up and about, and able to walk and eat as normal. Phuong Lee and her mother were visibly happy and eagerly expressed their satisfaction with the operation. “Look at my mother now. She is so healthy and very happy after the operation. The price of the operation is less in Singapore as compared to one in Australia or in America. The healthcare treatments in Singapore are as good as in America. The medical equipment are top-notch and the hospital facilities are first-rate too.”
Mdm Nguyen was discharged after 14 days in the hospital and Phuong Lee took her shopping the day after, using a wheelchair. She exclaimed, “I like Singapore. The shopping is great. We were out from early morning till late night yesterday.”
Phuong Lee added, “We will tell the people in Vietnam about the high standard of healthcare facilities and medical treatments in Singapore. A lot of people in Vietnam are ignorant on treatment options. My mother wants to help the people in Vietnam who do not know about the types of medical treatments offered overseas. She wants to tell them about the National Heart Centre.” Speaking in Vietnamese, Mcm Nguyen said, “I hope that people with this same problem will know about the National Heart Centre and visit Singapore for treatment.”
Breathe Again (click on title to view complete article)
Nigerian Very Reverend Professor Samuel Uwhubetine Erivwo experienced occasions of breathlessness for five years before being informed of the need for a heart operation. His son, Dr. Polycarp Erivwo, chose to send him to Singapore for surgery when it became clear his father needed urgent attention.
A senior consultant from the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery examined Professor Samuel and diagnosed him with aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve. Valvulopasty – heart valve replacement – surgery was necessary. Doctors replaced his aortic valve with a mosaic bioprosthetic valve.
Visibly happy with the success of his operation and positive experience at the National Heart Centre, Professor Samuel gave two thumbs-up to the staff of the National Hear “The doctors, nurses and staff at the National Heart Centre were all excellent and if I singled out anyone, it would not be fair to the others. They were all so good to me during my stay. There is nothing negative.”
Dr. Polycarp elaborated, “The healthcare facilities in Singapore are excellent and cost of surgery is affordable. The high number of surgeries that the National Heart Centre in Singapore had performed was our deciding factor. It is also the only hospital in Singapore approved for heart transplants.” To that, he added, “I didn’t have difficulty understanding what the doctors were going to do when we met them before the operation. Their explanations were very clear and my father and I fully understood the procedure. The reception during our stay in the hospital has been good. There weren’t any hitches and my father was very well taken care of. We didn’t encounter any problems.”
Bypass to a Better Life (click on title to view complete article)
Four years ago Indonesian Tan Istanto Tanzil started experiencing difficulty in breathing and walking a distance. He was prescribed medication and advised to undergo a heart bypass. Mr. Tanzil was apprehensive of the complications that may occur.
A catheter probe revealed five of Mr. Tanzil’s arteries were blocked, putting him at high risk of getting a heart attack.
He got in contact with the National HeartCentre. Mr Tanzil’s daughter, Ivana, explained, “My father feels safe and more comfortable having the operation in Singapore.”
Arrangements were made with an international patient liaison officer at the National Heart Centre. After further tests and an examination by a cardiologist at the National Heart Centre, Mr Tanzil underwent a coronary artery bypass graft. The Centre’s cardiothoracic surgeons performed the successful six-hour operation.
Post-operation, Mr Tanzil was warded for observation for eight days. He expressed his appreciation for doctors and nurses at the National Heart Centre. Ivana translated, “The hospital is nice and the medical equipment are very modern. Service is good as well, especially in the intensive care unit and high dependency ward. The nurses made frequent checks on my father to ensure that he was all right and comfortable.”
Cost-wise, Ivana revealed that the cost of operation in Singapore was not much more expensive than having one in Indonesia.
When asked if the family intends to visit Singapore again, Mr. Tanzil’s wife said, “Definitely for jalan-jalan. Singapore is a very nice place. | 
