DEATH AT RECENT "LOSE TO WIN" PROGRAMME

DEATH AT RECENT "LOSE TO WIN" PROGRAMME: 6.

Dr Lam Pin Min asked the Minister for Health (a) what circumstances led to the demise of the participant from the "Lose To Win" reality TV programme organised by the Health Promotion Board; (b) whether there were sufficient safeguards in place to ensure participants were selected carefully and the weight loss programme executed safely; and (c) whether there were any other adverse consequences experienced by other participants of this programme.

7.

Dr Ong Seh Hong asked the Minister for Health (a) whether he will provide details on the "Lose to Win" programme of the Health Promotion Board (HPB) to encourage people to lose weight and the medical and scientific basis for such promotion of health; (b) what were the causes that led to the death of a contestant; and (c) what assurances can be provided that future HPB health-related promotions will not compromise public safety.

The Minister for Health (Mr Khaw Boon Wan): Sir, may I have your permission to take Question Nos. 6 and 7 together?

Mr Speaker: Yes, please.

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Mr Khaw Boon Wan: Dr Lam and Dr Ong referred to the late Mr Ong Joo Aun who had participated in the Health Promotion Board’s "Lose to Win" programme. We were all saddened to learn of his death.

The late Mr Ong took part in the “Lose to Win” programme in 2009, two years ago. He joined the programme to raise his fitness level. During the course of the 12-week programme, he lost 3.2 kg from his original weight of 75.8 kg. His Body Mass Index (BMI) improved from 28 to 26.

For the 2010 "Lose to Win", Mr Ong did not compete in it. However, he joined the group exercises as a returning alumnus. He was a jovial and cheerful person, and very popular with other participants and the trainers.

In fact, in December, on his own accord, he joined and completed a 10-km run at the Standard Chartered Marathon. His family and colleagues were very proud of his achievement.

On 22nd January, Mr Ong took part in a fitness assessment organised by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) at Yishun Stadium. The assessment included a safety briefing, a 10-minute warm-up session, followed by a 2-km walk test. All safety procedures were in place: HPB and fitness staff kept watch on the participants; an ambulance was on standby, with three paramedics.

The walk was uneventful. All the 67 participants completed the 2-km walk, taking from 14 to 23 minutes. Mr Ong completed it in 17 minutes, an average speed of 7 km per hour. As part of the fitness assessment, his heart rate was measured at the end of the walk. It registered 93 beats per minute.

While he was resting and chatting with fellow participants, he suddenly collapsed. The paramedics were close by

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and they were able to deliver immediate resuscitative measures while he was sent to the nearby Khoo Teck Puat Hospital by ambulance. Unfortunately, he passed away soon after at the hospital. The cause of death was recorded as "ischaemic heart disease".

The "Lose to Win" is a team-based, 12-week programme. It includes comprehensive fitness assessments, supervised physical activities and nutrition workshops. After the course, there are follow-up maintenance activities. The entire programme is designed to achieve a safe approach to losing weight. While there is some competitive element to raise interest among the participants and the TV audience, HPB’s programme emphasises safe, gradual and sustainable weight loss. This is a very different approach from similar reality TV programmes in other countries.

There are safety measures at various stages of the programme. First, the programme is designed to target weight loss at not more than one kilogramme per week. Second, the programme does not take in applicants whose BMIs exceed 37.5. Such applicants are advised to join hospital-based weight management programmes instead. Third, there are rigorous screening procedures to pick up applicants with medical risk. The latter will require medical clearance to participate. In Mr Ong’s case, although he had a heart bypass 10 years ago, his doctor had found his medical condition stable and that he was fit to exercise regularly. Fourth, the exercises are properly supervised as I have described earlier.

Apart from this incident involving Mr Ong, there had been no adverse consequences, other than simple muscle strains and sprains. Nevertheless, to be absolutely sure, HPB has suspended the "Lose to Win" programme. We have also set up an expert panel to review the entire programme including its selection criteria

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and safety measures. The panel is chaired by Prof. Ng Han Seong, Chairman of the Medical Board of the Singapore General Hospital.

Meanwhile, the fight against obesity remains a priority for my Ministry. With rising obesity, we must all strive to win this battle in a sustainable and safe way.

Dr Lam Pin Min (Ang Mo Kio): I would like to thank the Minister for the reply. I am glad that all safety measures were in place in this incident. I understand that there had been several physical activity-related deaths over the past few years, and one life lost is one too many.

I would like to ask the Minister if the investigation results and lessons learned in this incident were shared between the Ministries and also with the relevant stakeholders; if not, whether such a practice can be implemented so that organisers of sports-related events can learn from this incident and minimise unnecessary loss of lives in the future.

Mr Khaw Boon Wan: The short answer is "yes". Once the panel has completed its findings, we will certainly want to share them with other organisers as well as to make them public.