CENTRALISED, DEDICATED HEART SCREENING

With the newly opened SAF Cardiac Fitness Centre (SCFC), NSmen and pre-enlistees can look forward to more convenient cardiac screening with minimal downtime and waiting time.

Every year, thousands of pre-enlistees and Operationally Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) undergo mandatory cardiac screening before they are enlisted or deployed for physically strenuous work.

On 16 Jan, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) unveiled the new SCFC, which provides centralised and dedicated specialist cardiac care for all SAF personnel and pre-enlistees. It is located at the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS). SAF cardiologist Major (MAJ) (Dr) Muhammad Idu described the new facility as "a one-stop centre where all specialised cardiac investigations and consultations can be provided for pre-enlistees and SAF servicemen. Cardiac screening can be done in a convenient and timely manner, allowing the SAF to determine the medical classification and fitness of its soldiers faster".

Comprehensive screening system

As part of their cardiac screening process, all national servicemen and pre-enlistees first undergo Tier 1 cardiac risk factor screening at an SAF Medical Centre or Medical Classification Centre respectively.

The screening comprises an electrocardiogram (ECG), which traces the heart's electrical impulses and rhythm; blood tests for the detection of risk factors like Diabetes Mellitus and High Cholesterol; and a physical examination of the cardiovascular system by an SAF Medical Officer (MO).

If an individual is identified with abnormalities, the SAF MO will refer him for selected Tier 2 specialised cardiac screening tests. With the SCFC in place, these personnel no longer need to visit multiple healthcare institutions for specialised tests and treatments.

Waiting times for specialised cardiac tests and consultations are also reduced, which enhances the SAF's operational readiness by minimising deployment downtime and pre-enlistment waiting time. This facilitates timely enlistment and also gives servicemen more time to train and undergo the annual Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT).

A complementary pair

Operated in collaboration with NHCS, the SCFC taps the expertise of both organisations, ensuring a high standard of cardiac screening.

With all cardiac screening services now centralised in the SCFC, the SAF can better collate and study the cardiovascular health profile of pre-enlistees and servicemen to explore new cardiac screening tests for the SAF. This is part of the SAF's continuous efforts to ensure its cardiac screening protocols remain robust and aligned with best medical practices and guidelines.

The 316 sq m SCFC provides four Tier 2 cardiac screening tests - exercise ECG, routine echocardiography, stress echocardiogram and MIBI (Myocardial Perfusion) scan, and a CT (Computed Tomography) Coronary Artery Calcium Score (CACS).

Sharing his experience undergoing the medical screening at the new SCFC, 1st Warrant Officer M Balakrishnan said: "In the past, I had to report to the medical centre for blood tests and the ECG, then travel to the Military Medical Institute for the exercise treadmill test. If further tests were required, I was referred to another public hospital to see the doctor there, who will order the test for me to be done on another day. The whole process took a long time."

The Head of Pers Node (Amoy Quee), SAF Personnel Hub (East) added: "However, now I just have to report to the medical centre and they will refer me directly to the SCFC for the test. The test report gets sent directly back to the SAF MO, who can decide in a shorter time whether I am fit to do IPPT.

"I do not need to make so many visits for my check-ups now, and the shorter waiting time means I have more time to train for my IPPT. I'm glad that the SAF does all the screening for us so that we can take better care of our health."

In another case, Lance Corporal (LCP) Aaron Tan Shih Yan from the Human Resource Shared Service Centre was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, a congenital condition of the heart which predisposes an individual to having episodes of abnormal heart rhythms, after an ECG at SCFC.

"I was completely unaware of my condition prior to my pre-enlistee medical screening, where I had an abnormal ECG. I had heart palpitations in the past, but I didn't think much of it, especially since I was very active," said LCP Tan, who was graded PES C9L9.

"I think that the cardiac screening is very useful, especially for people like me who had no idea of their condition before going for the screening. It is also very good for safety, as there would have been risks involved had I been graded as combat fit."

LCP Tan subsequently underwent a successful procedure at NHCS and can now return to an active lifestyle. His medical classification status will be re-assessed in the future so that he can continue to contribute meaningfully during his NS.

Comprehensive, yet faster

"Sometimes pre-enlistees come down (to the SCFC) with their parents," added MAJ (Dr) Idu. "And following investigations, if we find out that there are no underlying problems, we spend time to explain the results to the pre-enlistees and their parents. Some of the parents have thanked us as they feel reassured to know that their sons undergo comprehensive medical screening in the SAF."

Ultimately, the facility is designed and operated with servicemen in mind. As MAJ (Dr) Idu summed it up: "It (the SCFC) gives our servicemen greater confidence over their own health."