PM Lee to take medical leave till Aug 29 on doctors' advice

August 22, 2016 | 21:34

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SINGAPORE: After taking ill halfway through his National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 21), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong underwent a series of checks at Singapore General Hospital late Sunday as well as Monday morning, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Monday.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong waving after he concluded National Day Rally 2016 (Photo: Xabryna Kek)

"The Prime Minister had taken ill during the National Day Rally due to a temporary drop in blood pressure, due to prolonged standing, exhaustion, and dehydration. Doctors have confirmed there were no cardiac abnormalities and no stroke," PMO said in a statement on Monday afternoon.

On the advice of doctors, Mr Lee will be on medical leave and will resume his duties on Aug 29, it added. He had been due to meet Indonesian President Joko Widodo for a leaders' retreat in Semarang, Central Java this week.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean will cover the duties of Mr Lee in his absence, the PMO said.

In a note on Facebook, Mr Lee offered "heartfelt thanks" to all Singaporeans for their concern and good wishes. "I’m sorry I didn't have the chance to meet you all after the Rally, as I went straight to the Singapore General Hospital for a thorough checkup. I’m glad to report that the doctors think I am OK, but they have advised me to rest, so I will be on MC for this week," he wrote.

Earlier on Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said Mr Lee's tests at the Singapore General Hospital came back "normal" and that the Prime Minister had a vasovagal episode. The PMO had said Mr Lee felt unsteady midway through his speech on Sunday due to prolonged standing, heat and dehydration.

After a taking a break for more than an hour, Mr Lee returned to the stage to finish his speech, then headed directly to SGH for a full medical check-up.

President Tony Tan Keng Yam spoke to Mr Lee on Monday afternoon and said he was his "usual jovial self". "Glad that he is well," he added.

CNA

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