S R Nathan, the sixth and longest-serving president of the country, is in a critical condition after he had a stroke on early Sunday morning (31 July).
He is now being treated in the Intensive Care Unit at Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
Prior to this, Mr Nathan had a stroke in April 2015 where he was hospitalised for almost three weeks. He has been diagnosed with kidney failure and had been undergoing dialysis in the past few months.
Other members of the cabinet and former members also voiced their concerns on Mr Nathan’s health.
Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said on his Facebook account that the doctor said the vital signs are stable but it is too early to say how he would progress. He told reporters at Singapore General Hospital that Mr Nathan is a fighter and he had gone through this many times before.
Former Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi said that even though he knew that Mr Nathan has been ill for quite some time, the news was still shocking to him. “I think all Singaporeans are quite shocked and concerned. We knew that he had been ill for some time and were so shocked that he had a stroke…naturally, his family is concerned,” he said.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kang Seng said that the last time he visited Mr Nathan was just 10 days ago and said that Mr Nathan was alert and in good spirit.
Former Senior Minister of State Zainul Abidin Rasheed said that he is still unconscious and sedated. He just met Mr Nathan last week and that he seemed to be in a good condition. “He was really in top spirits and talking about the contributions of the Malay-Muslim community, ” he said.