Mr. Sukanto Tanoto at SingHealth Duke-NUS Scientific Congress 2014

In September 2014, Mr. Sukanto Tanoto attended SingHealth Duke-NUS Scientific Congress and presented a S$3 Million gift to the organisation. Singapore’s President, Dr Tony Tan, received the cheque on behalf of SingHealth during the opening ceremony of the congress. The purpose of this cash gift are as follows:

Firstly, it is to establish the Tanoto Foundation Professorship in Cardiovascular Medicine through the Academic Clinical Program (ACP) for Cardiovascular, under the Academic Medicine partnership between Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore (Duke-NUS) and the SingHealth Group. Secondly, it is to develop initiative for Genetics and Stem Cell Research to characterize the genes of normal cells in Asian populations and the associated phenotype (i.e. appearance and
performance) of the cells of individuals with genetic heart disease or a family history of genetic heart disease.

The reason why Mr. Sukanto decided to give this gift is simple. The objective is to focus on research in using advanced techniques such as stem cell technology, genetics, biomarkers, advanced imaging and bioinformatics in order to detect and manage of heart disease better.

Heart disease, particularly coronary artery disease and heart failure, is on the rise in Asia and is a major cause of death. According to Singapore’s Ministry of Health, cardiovascular disease (including heart disease and stroke) accounted for 1 in 3 (30.4%) all deaths in Singapore in 2011. It is estimated to grow to epidemic proportions with changing demographics and lifestyle in years to come. Globally, the number of people aged 60 years and above is expected to double by
2025 and triple by 2050. With Singapore’s rapidly ageing population, heart disease is becoming one of the most prevalent health problems.

This study is urgently needed in the Asian cohorts as, while we understand these factors in Caucasians, we have little knowledge of the factors causing heart disease and sudden death in Asian populations. It is time that Asia develops her own research and findings about the Asian populations in order to better manage the disease.

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