Ex-DPM Heng and other stroke survivors pay tribute to caregivers

In a collage of photos, former deputy prime minister Heng Swee Keat, 64, paid a surprise tribute to his wife, Madam Chang Hwee Nee, for standing by him when he was recovering from stroke.

- Judith Tan

He was speaking at the Stroke Support Station's (S3) 10th Anniversary Gala A Decade of Stroke Care, held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore on Oct 23.

Mr Heng suffered a stroke caused by an aneurysm on May 12, 2016, and collapsed during a weekly Cabinet meeting.

He underwent neurosurgery to relieve pressure in his brain due to the bleeding and the aneurysm was successfully closed. He was hospitalised for more than six weeks.

Madam Chang was his primary caregiver.

Mr Heng, who retired from office in May, has since fully recovered.

In the tribute to his 62-year-old wife, who is the chairman of S3, Mr Heng said Madam Chang was the rock who made the call for doctors to "carry out the procedures to save my life".