PM Lee thanks SCDF team who 'kept their cool' in helping Heng Swee Keat

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) team that responded to the emergency call at the Istana for Mr Heng Swee Keat on Thursday have been praised by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

In a letter to SCDF Commissioner Eric Yap, Mr Lee thanked Paramedic SSG Janice Lee Yi Ping, EMT SSG Mohd Imran bin Abd Samad, NSF EMT CPL Ian Lok Yu Hern and Paramedic Trainee Sheena Chiang Yanpin.

"They were highly professional and did an excellent job," wrote Mr Lee.

"My colleagues and I observed how your team kept your cool and were in control throughout the incident, working as a team with Dr Janil."

Mr Lee wrote that the team responded within seven minutes of a call being placed to 995 after Mr Heng collapsed during a Cabinet meeting.

 

 

When the team arrived, Dr Janil Puthucheary was already resuscitating Mr Heng using a bag and mask resuscitation kit.

Dr Janil is an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC and Minister of State for Education and Communications and Information

At one point, paramedic Ms Lee asked Dr Janil if he was bagging the patient too fast. Dr Janil responded that he was hyper-ventilating the patient to relieve pressure on the brain and reduce swelling.

The team supported Dr Janil, then later took the lead and transferred Mr Heng into an ambulance to be taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Dr Janil Puthucheary (above). PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES

Mr Heng, 54, suffered a stroke due to an aneurysm on Thursday. He underwent surgery and is in stable condition at the ICU.

Mr Lee wrote of the SCDF team: "Each knew their roles, and all had the presence of mind to stay completely focused on the patient.

"It is never easy to attend to a resuscitation, and the active involvement of a clinician already on scene can make it more difficult.

"Your team was highly competent and professional, unfazed by their surroundings or the presence of ministers.

"They asserted themselves where necessary and played an important role in stabilising the patient."

He added: "Your officers are a credit to the SCDF. They reflected the professionalism and sense of mission that they display daily as they go about their duties to protect and save lives and property for a safe and secure Singapore."