YTL Pacific Star CEO dies after surgery

[Masamune Date]

Barred from liposuction

Singapore
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Jan 8, 2010

Barred from liposuction

By Francis Chan

Reves Clinic was registered last July by Dr Wong and Dr Zhu Xiu Chun. -- ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN, SHIN MIN

THE Ministry of Health (MOH) has ordered the Orchard Road clinic that performed cosmetic surgery on Mr Franklin Heng, just before he died last week, to cease the type of treatment involved. Mr Heng, 44, the chief executive of a $1 billion company, was rushed by ambulance to Tan Tock Seng Hospital on Dec 30 but was pronounced dead there despite efforts to revive him. The former CEO of YTL Pacific Star, a property management firm, had undergone 'liposuction' treatment that afternoon at Reves Clinic. Broadly, the procedure involves sucking fat out of the body. The divorcee and father of two was said by a close friend to have fretted over 'love handles'. Police are treating the death as unnatural and are investigating, as is MOH. 'Meanwhile, MOH had already directed the clinic concerned to stop all liposuction and liposuction-related procedures under the PHMC Act,' the ministry said in a written statement. The Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics or PHMC Act governs the operations of private hospitals and clinics like Reves Clinic.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.

[email protected]
Additional reporting by Dickson Li and Esther Teo


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[Mdm Tang]

Re: Barred from liposuction

Singapore
Home > Breaking News > Singapore > Story
Jan 8, 2010

Barred from liposuction

By Francis Chan

Reves Clinic was registered last July by Dr Wong and Dr Zhu Xiu Chun. -- ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN, SHIN MIN

THE Ministry of Health (MOH) has ordered the Orchard Road clinic that performed cosmetic surgery on Mr Franklin Heng, just before he died last week, to cease the type of treatment involved. Mr Heng, 44, the chief executive of a $1 billion company, was rushed by ambulance to Tan Tock Seng Hospital on Dec 30 but was pronounced dead there despite efforts to revive him. The former CEO of YTL Pacific Star, a property management firm, had undergone 'liposuction' treatment that afternoon at Reves Clinic. Broadly, the procedure involves sucking fat out of the body. The divorcee and father of two was said by a close friend to have fretted over 'love handles'. Police are treating the death as unnatural and are investigating, as is MOH. 'Meanwhile, MOH had already directed the clinic concerned to stop all liposuction and liposuction-related procedures under the PHMC Act,' the ministry said in a written statement. The Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics or PHMC Act governs the operations of private hospitals and clinics like Reves Clinic.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.

[email protected]
Additional reporting by Dickson Li and Esther Teo


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CEO's death: Clinic barred from liposuction

The clinic which performed cosmetic surgery on Mr Franklin Heng just before he died last week has been ordered by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to stop offering the treatment. Reves Clinic has been directed to stop "all liposuction and liposuction-related procedures", said MOH in a written statement.

Mr Heng, 44, the chief executive of a $1 billion property management firm, had undergone liposuction treatment at Reves Clinic the afternoon before he died on Dec 30. (more)

Reves clinic was launched less than three months ago in International Building, according to the clinic's website. The practice is headed by two doctors - Dr Jim Wong and Dr. Myint Myint Kyi. It is unclear who is the doctor who performed the procedure on Mr Heng.


Both MOH and the Police are investigating.










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[scroobal]

Re: Barred from liposuction

Why would a CEO with an MBA running a $B1 portofolio go to a GP with a dermatology diploma for liposuction. Penny wise pound foolish.

 

[SamuelStalin]

That's grrrrreat. It's time to pop the champagne.

If only you rubbish would go also thereafter.

Anyone can share what high risk surgery ? thanks

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Business Times - 02 Jan 2010


YTL Pacific Star CEO dies after surgery

YTL Pacific Star CEO Franklin Heng has passed away after undergoing surgery on Wednesday evening.

The 44-year-old had been at the helm of YTL Pacific Star since July 2005. The company manages Starhill Global REIT, which owns local malls Wisma Atria and Ngee Ann City.

'We are shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden loss,' said YTL Pacific Star's executive chairman Francis Yeoh.

'Franklin spearheaded the listing of Starhill Global REIT in September 2005 and has since led the team to grow the Reit's portfolio from two initial assets in Singapore to 10 in Singapore, China and Japan, with potential acquisitions in Australia and Malaysia,' he added.

Besides being a company steward, Mr Heng had been sharing his 15 years of mergers and acquisitions experience to aspiring fund managers in his position as a part-time lecturer with the Singapore Management University's executive programme for real estate and Reits.

Before joining YTL Pacific Star, he was the president of investment and fund management at Pacific Star Fund Management.

He also worked in JPMorgan for nearly eight years and rose up the ranks to become its head for energy and infrastructure in the Southeast Asia region.



Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

 

[SamuelStalin]

Re: Barred from liposuction

Bunch of hacks. Time to examine their educational credentials also.

They are going to need tree bark for their meals hahaha.

CEO's death: Clinic barred from liposuction

The clinic which performed cosmetic surgery on Mr Franklin Heng just before he died last week has been ordered by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to stop offering the treatment. Reves Clinic has been directed to stop "all liposuction and liposuction-related procedures", said MOH in a written statement.

Mr Heng, 44, the chief executive of a $1 billion property management firm, had undergone liposuction treatment at Reves Clinic the afternoon before he died on Dec 30. (more)

Reves clinic was launched less than three months ago in International Building, according to the clinic's website. The practice is headed by two doctors - Dr Jim Wong and Dr. Myint Myint Kyi. It is unclear who is the doctor who performed the procedure on Mr Heng.


Both MOH and the Police are investigating.










==========================================

 

[Papsmearer]

I wouldn't go to a plastic surgeon named Woffles. LOL.

 

[Papsmearer]

THE chief executive of a $1 billion property firm died last week, following cosmetic treatment at an Orchard Road clinic.

On Dec 30, 44-year-old Franklin Heng was ferried by ambulance from the clinic to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

TTSH chief executive Lim Suet Wun said the case has been referred to the coroner.

'The patient came from a GP clinic and had had liposuction done earlier that afternoon,' he told The Straits Times.

Although Mr Heng showed no signs of life when he arrived at the hospital just after 5pm, doctors spent almost an hour attempting to resuscitate him, said Dr Lim.

A spokesman for the Health Ministry also said it was investigating the matter.

Read the full story in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.

[email protected]

[email protected]

Additional reporting by Dickson Li

I wonder if TTSH would spend 1 hour trying to resusitate a normal average sinkie who is not an elite. Probably they will spend no more than 10 mins before they HOTA his organs.

 

[myo539]

Re: Barred from liposuction

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Liposuction doesn't look pretty. Like pumping bicycle tyres using manual pump!

 

[limpeh2]

Wah. you so chun. Now the two doctors die leow. Sure kantong license. This time is bigshot die leh, not small fries like us. Liposuction also can die. I thought it is a generally established medical routine.

Well, if a relatively young man who's wealthy & seemingly healthy but mysteriously dies from a "medical procedure", more often than not, it's something to do with elective/cosmetic surgery. Furthermore the fella does look like a vain pot.

Actually lipo is not a minor operation & many vain pots've found their way to the coroner via such hyiow procedures. Also all operations carry a risk of death due to possible reaction to anaesthesia.

btw looks like one of the docs "Myint Myint Kyi" is a foreigner coz that's a burmese name. IMO the late Mr Heng might as well have gone to burma to do the surgery. Much cheaper & similar risks.

Details:
Kyi Myint Myint MBBS(MYANMAR); M Med(OM)(S); Dip F P Derm(S)
AsiaMedic, Wellness Assessment

350 Orchard Road
#08-00 Shaw House
238868

Tel: 68387933
Fax: 67898888

 

[Mdm Tang]

Dr Wong leaving his clinic at International Building late yesterday evening. He did not confirm that he had performed liposuction on Mr Heng on the day he died. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE




A DOCTOR at the cosmetic surgery clinic where Mr Franklin Heng received treatment on the day he died confirmed yesterday that he is helping in investigations.

Dr Jim Wong, 34, told The Straits Times he is cooperating with the authorities but declined to provide further details about what led to Mr Heng's death last month.

The general practitioner also did not confirm that he had performed liposuction on Mr Heng, chief executive of property management firm YTL Pacific Star, on the day he died.

'I'm afraid the best I can tell you is that this case is now under investigation and I have no further comment,' he said when The Straits Times visited his clinic yesterday.

He did not want to reveal how long Mr Heng had been a patient, but he said that they were not personal friends.

Mr Heng, 44, was taken by ambulance to Tan Tock Seng Hospital from Reves Clinic on Dec 30.

Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.

 

[Mdm Tang]

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_476273.html

 

[Mdm Tang]

Business Times - 12 Jan 2010

YESTERDAY IN PARLIAMENT
Law on doctors' competency strengthened

Measures include having lawyers on SMC's disciplinary tribunals

By CHUANG PECK MING

PARLIAMENT yesterday beefed up the Medical Registration Act - which ensures that doctors are competent and fit to practise medicine - with measures that include the controversial move for lawyers to be appointed to the Singapore Medical Council's disciplinary tribunals.

Tabling the Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that changes are due because changing demands and expectations have raised new issues in professional conduct and standards of doctors in Singapore. The Act was last amended in 2003.

A key amendment is to strengthen the SMC's disciplinary processes to cope with the rise in the number and complexity of complaints and disciplinary proceedings. Among other changes, it will thus:


almost double the number of lay persons and registered doctors in the Complaints Panel to 150;


rename Disciplinary Committees as Disciplinary Tribunals and allow the SMC to appoint members or chairman with experience in legal matters.

Following this, a senior legal officer, senior lawyer, former Supreme Court judge or judicial commissioner may become a member of or chair a Disciplinary Tribunal.

Mr Khaw said that the proposal to appoint lawyers was the subject of much debate from 'a segment of the medical fraternity'. He said that such appointments are needed because disciplinary inquiries increasingly involve complex issues that are 'legally and procedurally challenging'.

Thus, Disciplinary Committees always require the presence of a Legal Assessor to assist in the proceedings, Mr Khaw noted.

'Disciplinary Committees are increasingly saddled with legal arguments, technicalities or materials that unnecessarily lengthen proceedings. Consequently, the legal costs of conducting inquiries have risen considerably.'

Under the beefed-up Act, a complainant can appeal to the High Court against any Disciplinary Tribunal's decision. Only defendant doctors can do that under the Disciplinary Committees regime.

Other amendments under the Bill aim to provide a wider range of orders and penalties to deal with errant doctors; a 'more nuanced' approach to medical registration of doctors; and set up a register of family physicians.

The cap on financial penalty imposed by Disciplinary Tribunals on a doctor is raisedto $100,000 from $10,000 under the Disciplinary Committee regime.

'The increase in fines is intended to be paid solely by the medical practitioner and will therefore not add to an increase in annual indemnity fees paid by our doctors,' Mr Khaw said.

For less serious complaints that can be concluded without convening tribunals, the SMC will have the power to order the defendant doctor to seek or undergo medical or psychiatric treatment, or report on the status of his fitness to practise periodically. It can order him to go for further training.

The SMC can also, by agreement of the doctor, remove his name from the register, suspend his practice for not more than three years, cancel or suspend his practising certificate, or impose restrictions and conditions on his practice.

These changes allow the SMC to deal with correctable behaviours more constructively, said Mr Khaw.


Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

 

[Mdm Tang]

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_476195.html

Jan 12, 2010
SMC gets more teeth
Swifter probes, a wider range of penalties to deal with errant doctors
By Salma Khalik, Health Correspondent




'Aside from medical qualifications, we also need to monitor the performance of these doctors, making sure that they are up to our standards and adapt well to the local environment,' Health Minister Mr Khaw said. -- ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW



PATIENTS can expect faster redress against negligent or unprofessional doctors, who will also be subject to tougher penalties.

Changes to the Medical Registration Act passed on Monday will give the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) not only sharper teeth, but also more leeway in carrying out investigations.

It will be able to impose fines of up to $100,000 instead of the current maximum of $10,000, which was set in 1997.

It will be able to suspend doctors for longer than the current maximum of three years, with no upper limit specified.

It will also have a new weapon - restricting a doctor's practice by changing his full registration to one that is conditional and supervised.

In addition, it will get greater investigative powers.

Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times

 

[Mdm Tang]

Doctors, the lawyer is in
Lively debate as law is changed to allow legal experts on medical panels
by Neo Chai Chin 05:55 AM Jan 12, 2010




05:55 AM Jan 12, 2010SINGAPORE - The proposed amendments to the laws governing medical practitioners were broad, but one in particular generated the most debate in Parliament yesterday, with a lively exchange between two doctors and a lawyer.

The proposal to allow legal practitioners to join the Singapore Medical Council's (SMC) disciplinary tribunals as chairmen or members faced much opposition from the 9,000-odd doctors here last year.

In yesterday's debate on the Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill - which was eventually passed by Parliament - passions had not dimmed.

Member of Parliament Lam Pin Min (Ang Mo Kio) set the ball rolling by likening the change to a regression.

The legal profession did away with lay people in lawyers' disciplinary hearings in 2008, so if it was "going in the opposite direction, how is it that the medical profession is regressing and abrogating responsibility?" he asked.

Speaking after Dr Lam, lawyer and MP Christopher de Souza (Holland Bukit-Timah) said: "In cases where a legal professional can make valuable contribution as chair or member of a tribunal, he or she should be brought in ... I'd like to point out that lawyers often call on doctors as expert witnesses in Court."

The rebuttal - that doctors are called upon only as medical experts - came from another doctor, Sembawang MP Lim Wee Kiak. "I've not heard of any medical doctors being requested by the legal profession to help them in a disciplinary case against a lawyer within their own fraternity," he said, smiling.

The cut-and-thrust led to Mr de Souza clarifying that it was the synergy between the two professions he wished to highlight, which the new laws would further develop.

There were other concerns, too: Who would the SMC appoint as investigators, an "almost pivotal role" in determining whether a disciplinary tribunal is convened on a complaint, asked Non-Constituency MP Sylvia Lim.

How can tribunal hearings be made more transparent and would guidelines be given on appropriate penalties, asked other MPs. And why the jump in maximum financial penalty from $10,000 to $100,000, asked Dr Lam.

To the last question, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the $10,000 quantum was set in 1997; $100,000 for medical misconduct is "not excessive".

Investigators will likely be officers with at least 10 years' experience in the police or related enforcement agencies, he told Ms Lim.

And with the "rising level of interest" in transparency, Mr Khaw said he would consult the public and medical community to find a balance between disclosure and patient confidentiality.

But the Minister thought the idea of publishing a list of doctors subjected to disciplinary hearings - supported by MPs Halimah Yacob and Ellen Lee - was "debatable".

Mr Khaw also provided some numbers: 17 doctors have repeated similar offences in the last five years, and three out of four complaints to the SMC were from members of the public. Last year, SMC received 96 complaints, averaging a "not alarming" statistic of 11 complaints per 1,000 doctors per year.

"Like all professions, there are some black sheep, and we need efficient, transparent and fair processes in place to ensure that misconduct is dealt with speedily," he said.

 

[Mdm Tang]

Dr Wong leaving his clinic at International Building late yesterday evening. He did not confirm that he had performed liposuction on Mr Heng on the day he died. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE




A DOCTOR at the cosmetic surgery clinic where Mr Franklin Heng received treatment on the day he died confirmed yesterday that he is helping in investigations.

Dr Jim Wong, 34, told The Straits Times he is cooperating with the authorities but declined to provide further details about what led to Mr Heng's death last month.

The general practitioner also did not confirm that he had performed liposuction on Mr Heng, chief executive of property management firm YTL Pacific Star, on the day he died.

'I'm afraid the best I can tell you is that this case is now under investigation and I have no further comment,' he said when The Straits Times visited his clinic yesterday.

He did not want to reveal how long Mr Heng had been a patient, but he said that they were not personal friends.

Mr Heng, 44, was taken by ambulance to Tan Tock Seng Hospital from Reves Clinic on Dec 30.

Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ST Forum


Jan 11, 2010

What makes a dermatologist



WE REFER to last Thursday's report, 'CEO dies after cosmetic surgery'. It was reported that when asked about the qualifications of the two doctors running the clinic, the staff said they were both dermatologists - or specialists in skin problems. We are glad the reporters checked the doctors' qualifications with the Singapore Medical Council's registry of doctors, which listed both as general practitioners and not dermatologists.

We would like to provide a clear picture of who qualifies as a dermatologist and the training required to become one.

A dermatologist is a medical specialist who has completed the required training, successfully passed specialist examinations and been accredited by regulatory bodies to specialise in the diagnosis and management of skin, nail and hair diseases, and sexually transmitted infections.

In Singapore, to qualify as a dermatologist, a doctor first needs to obtain basic postgraduate specialist training and then be accepted into a full-time dermatology training programme lasting three years in an accredited dermatology training centre. Upon satisfactory completion of the training, the Ministry of Health will then need to certify the doctor as a dermatologist.

Obtaining a diploma in dermatology equips a general practitioner with skills to deal with some common skin disorders. However, it does not qualify a doctor to be called a dermatologist or skin specialist.

With regard to the area of aesthetic practices, members of the public can refer to the Singapore Medical Council website ( www.smc.gov.sg ) to check the credentials of doctors. A full list of accredited specialists, including dermatologists in Singapore, is available on this website.

Dr Chan Yuin Chew
President, Dermatological Society of Singapore

A/Prof Tan Suat Hoon
Chairman, Chapter of Dermatologists, College of Physicians,
Academy of Medicine Singapore

Prof Roy Chan Kum Wah
Director, National Skin Centre, Singapore
++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

[limpeh2]

Although one of the docs, who's a locally-trained sporn (& probably owner) appears very coy about who operated on the late Mr Heng, I'd wager that the other doc who's a burmese foreigner, is involved at the very least.

Lets face it, 3rd world foreign docs're imported for more than just their good looks. Not withstanding possible lovely undertable "fun" skills, most foreign docs're employed so that their employers're can cut corners to save on costs.

Whether this is the case, I'm not sure. However, if this blows up seeing how the late Mr Heng's not small potatoes, there'll be some repercussions against medical practices employing 3rd world foreign docs & for the foreign docs themselves.

Fact is, many 3rd world medical programs're of dubious quality & admissions standards. Any 3rd year medical student worth his/her grain of salt, knows to run a comprehensive pre-op exam to preclude underlying drug allergies, endocrine & heart problems before performing any invasive procedures on a male patient of that age (the typical age for the onset of diabetes type II & cardiovascular ailments). Another question is, was there a qualified anaesthetist present or was it an el-cheapo GP administered GA gone wrong?

Again, the$e're my opinion$. Nothing more.

 

[sammydaddy]

His queue number was up. It is just unfortunate that he got the call while having liposuction.

 

[Mdm Tang]

His queue number was up. It is just unfortunate that he got the call while having liposuction.

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http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_490321.html


Feb 13, 2010 CEO DIES AFTER LIPOSUCTION
Punctures to intestines
By Francis Chan

PROPERTY head honcho Franklin Heng died from punctures to his intestines sustained during liposuction surgery last December.

The 44-year-old's death certificate, obtained by The Sunday Times last Friday, indicated that the cause of death was 'multiple iatrogenic punctures of the intestines due to liposuction'.

Plastic surgeons whom The Sunday Times spoke to said that while it was not unheard of for a doctor to accidently tear or puncture a patient's intestines during liposuction, such incidents were 'extremely rare'.

Dr Andrew Tay, a consultant plastic surgeon at The Plastic Surgery Practice, said defects in a patient's abdominal wall that made it weaker than normal, might increase the risk of such injuries during the procedure.

'But in situations where the abdominal wall is quite normal, I think it would be quite unlikely or even unusual,' added Dr Tay, who has been a fully qualified plastic surgeon for eight years.

On Dec 30, Mr Heng was taken by ambulance to Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) from Reves Clinic, where he was undergoing liposuction.

Read the full report in The Sunday Times.








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[batman1]

U might be rich or poor,but death is the equaliser in life ,everybody has to go ,only sooner or later.

 

[limpeh2]

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http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_490321.html
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A malpractice investigation will be next. So much for Spore's ambition to become the prime medical tourism hub. It's too bad because the doctor apparently involved is NOT even a sporn but a burmese-trained foreigner.

If the responsible doctor is really that burmese doctor, I hope the authorities kantong the licenses of his Sporn cheapskate employer docs as well. This farking cost-cutting with ftrash workers is getting ridiculous and now, they're even gambling with people's health. This is what you get for cheap & fast. A cheap and fast way to the netherworld. Someone ought to tell the elites they're not immune to death or perforated intestines from routine cosmetic procedures.