SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF DIGITAL DEVLOPMENT AND INFORMATION & MINISTRY OF HEALTH, AT THE SINGAPORE NATIONAL STROKE ASSOCIATION’S STEPPING OUT FOR STROKE 2024

A/Prof Shamala Tilarajah, President, Singapore National Stroke Association

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. I am honoured to join all of you today, as we come together in solidarity for a cause that impacts many of us in our community.

Rising Incidence of Stroke in Singapore and Stroke Prevention

2. In 2023, cerebrovascular diseases, including stroke, ranked as the fourth leading cause of death in Singapore, accounting for 5.6% of all deaths. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes are the most common risk factors among stroke patients. The silver lining is that these are preventable risk factors that we can address through healthier lifestyle habits.

3. The Ministry of Health's Stroke Services Improvement (SSI) team has launched this year's National Stroke Awareness Campaign, introducing the S.M.A.R.T. approach to stroke prevention.

4. The 'Be Stroke SMART' initiative outlines five crucial steps to lower the risk of stroke. You might recall Suhaimi's catchy rap about being S.M.A.R.T, which stands for: staying Smoke-free, taking Meals that are healthy, maintaining an Active Lifestyle, attending Regular screening and Taking medications as prescribed by the doctor. We should all aim to be S.M.A.R.T to prevent a first stroke or a recurrent stroke.

5. The S.M.A.R.T approach complements current national health initiatives such as Healthier SG, which has enrolled over 1 million Singapore residents aged 40 and above. Eligible citizens can receive fully subsidised health screenings for hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. These are key risk factors for stroke which can be attributed to lifestyle habits such as unhealthy diets, smoking and low physical activity levels. Enrolled residents will also develop a personalised health plan with their family doctor to make lifestyle changes to prevent or manage these chronic conditions. If you are eligible, please make sure you sign up for Healthier SG because the whole point is to get you connected to a doctor, who can give you a personalised health plan, get screened for free, and you are on track to stay healthy.

SNSA’s Support for Stroke Survivors and their Families

6. I really want to thank the Singapore National Stroke Association, am so  heartened by your effort in supporting stroke survivors and their families. You have also expanded the befriending programmes and services to Singapore General Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital and St Luke’s Hospital. I would like to congratulate you on your opening of a new centre in Kim Keat earlier this year.

7. Today's event is an important one, it is not just a walk; it is a commitment to the stroke community. Your presence here shows that we can overcome these challenges together as a community. As we walk, run or wheel along the route today, we are raising awareness, and celebrating the brave stroke survivors. We are journeying with them and their families in their recovery. Hopefully, we are also creating awareness so that people take preventative effort and steps to ensure that we can be healthy together.

Closing

8. I would like to extend my gratitude to all the volunteers, organisers, and participants who have made this event possible. Your dedication drives the success of SNSA and the continued support for stroke survivors in Singapore. I would also like to thank SNSA for your unwavering support of the stroke community. I wish everyone a memorable Stepping Out for Stroke Day. Thank you.