Feasibility Study Timeline, Decision Criteria and Regional Collaboration for Singapore's National Paediatric Heart Transplant Programme

Mr Victor Lye asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) when does the Ministry expect to complete its study on the feasibility of a national paediatric heart transplant programme; (b) what patient volume, clinical capability and sustainability criteria will guide the decision; and (c) whether regional collaboration is being considered to improve programme viability.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Ministry of Health is reviewing the need and feasibility of a national paediatric heart transplant programme. We will have to consider the projected patient volumes, the ability to maintain the necessary clinical and multidisciplinary expertise for good patient outcomes, and the measures required to ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme.

International and regional cooperation is one way to address the challenge of small volume of patients. In this regard, our Public Healthcare Institutions have begun establishing relationships with leading international heart transplantation centres for training and knowledge exchange.

We should be able to complete the review by mid-2027.