Outcomes of Lung Transplants Performed in Singapore and Maintaining Expertise in This Field

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health given that fewer than 20 lung transplants have been carried out since 2000 under the Lung Transplant Programme (a) what were the outcomes of each lung transplant performed since 2020; (b) whether such volume is sufficient to maintain competence in such specialisation; and (c) whether solutions, such as treating subsidised ASEAN patients, have been explored to arrest any skills erosion.

Patients undergoing lung transplant generally have end-stage lung disease. Lung transplant is the only remaining lifesaving treatment option for these patients. There are multiple factors that influence post-transplant outcomes. These include the recipient's underlying diagnosis and presence of cardiopulmonary complications arising from the original lung disease and the health condition at the time of transplantation.

Between 2020 and 2025, there were four lung transplant surgeries performed. Three of the recipients passed away and the other is recovering well.

The volume of lung transplant surgeries in Singapore is not expected to be comparable to Western countries, likely due to our lower prevalence of end-stage lung diseases. Nonetheless, the transplant team maintains their expertise through training at high volume transplant centres overseas and participation in international conferences and workshops. Experts from the Duke University Health System, one of the largest lung transplant programme in the United States, also proctor the transplant surgeons during transplant surgeries performed in Singapore. Transplant surgeons also maintain their technical skills by performing other thoracic surgeries involving similar surgical techniques used in lung transplants and undergo surgical practice using animal models.