The National Day Parade this year will have one less minister attending.
On 8 August 2023, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong shared that he had to undergo a medical procedure due to a blocked coronary artery.
Minister Edwin Tong Underwent Medical Procedure Due to Blocked Artery
The health issue was something he had to deal with over the past few weeks, Mr Tong shared in a Facebook post.
His condition was first discovered during a routine health check.
His doctors found that his left anterior descending artery (LAD) was severely blocked.
It is the main and largest artery supplying blood to the heart.
If left unchecked, it could lead to chest pain and, for severe cases, an often-fatal heart attack known as a widowmaker.
On the morning of 8 Aug 2023, Mr Tong underwent an angioplasty, a medical procedure which uses a balloon to stretch open a narrow or blocked artery, then inserting a short wire mesh tube permanently to improve blood flow.
Go For Regular Health Checkups
In Mr Tong’s Facebook post, he shared that this discovery came as a shock to him.
He is neither diabetic nor a smoker, and his cholesterol levels are “pretty good”. His lifestyle is also not sedentary.
Yet, his artery was severely blocked.
This also highlights the importance of going for routine health checkups, he added.
While he had been feeling a bit more tired, he had attributed it to his schedule. It was only after he went for a routine health check that he realised it was something more serious.
Will be Recovering in Hospital on National Day
On National Day (9 August), Mr Tong will be spending it in hospital recovering from his medical procedure.
Nonetheless, he’ll be cheering on Singapore and the Red Lions from the comfort of his hospital bed.
Mr Tong will also listen to his doctors and take things easier “for a bit” before going back to his usual routines.
He will be working from home as much as possible.
You can read his Facebook post in full below:
Minister Edwin Tong is also the MP for Marine Parade GRC.
During this period, while he is recovering to peak condition, his fellow MPs in the Marine Parade GRC will cover his duties in the constituency.
Mr Tong isn’t the only politician needing to take a break from work due to health reasons.
Workers’ Party MP Mr Faisal Manap was reportedly warded in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for a cardiac condition on 24 July 2023. He was discharged on 28 July 2023 and was immediately placed on medical leave.