ESM Goh Chok Tong given 'clean bill of health', returns to work

Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has returned to work after a successful operation for prostate cancer a week ago. -- PHOTO: PETIR
Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has returned to work after a successful operation for prostate cancer a week ago. -- PHOTO: PETIR

SINGAPORE - Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has returned to work after a successful operation for prostate cancer a week ago.

In a Facebook post on Monday, the 73-year-old former prime minister said that his urologist had given him a clean bill of health after a medical review.

His doctor, Dr Sim Hong Gee, had said earlier that Mr Goh is expected to make a full recovery as the cancer was localised and detected early.

Dr Sim is a senior consultant urologist at Gleneagles Hospital and a visiting consultant at Singapore General Hospital, where Mr Goh had his surgery,

In his update on Monday, Mr Goh said: "My urologist, Sim Hong Gee, reviewed me and gave me a clean bill of health...I appreciate well wishers' concern and encouragement. Thank you, my friends."

He added that he would have to walk more on level ground to exercise while waiting for his surgical wounds to heal. It will take another four to six weeks before he can get back to playing golf and tennis, he said of the sports he enjoys regularly.

Mr Goh also said that he would have to do Kegler exercises to strengthen his pelvic floor muscles and to prevent and manage incontinence.

Along with his update, he also included a picture of himself with his "simple" lunch: a bowl of yong tau foo.

On Sunday, Mr Goh had said in a separate Facebook post that he had felt well enough to venture out for a family lunch. He also also joined Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam at a People's Action Party community dinner.

His posts drew a few hundred likes within an hour, as well as wishes from several commentors for him to get well soon.

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