Stories from the human side of healthcare — told by patients, caregivers, and the people who work alongside them. Behind every medical encounter lies a story worth telling.

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the latest from HEART

Being Shaped: VESSELS – A Medical Humanities Exhibition

Being Shaped: VESSELS – A Medical Humanities Exhibition

Some stories are too fragile to be told in words. Some emotions too heavy to carry alone. And sometimes, the best way to understand an experience is to shape it with your hands. That’s what Being Shaped: VESSELS is about. From February 10–14, 2025, at KKH Auditorium Foyer,

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For the voiceless

For the voiceless

Please be advised that this story delves into trauma-related topics that may be triggering to the reader They told me about what happened to you, and my heart sank lower and lower as I heard the details. They said you had over 70% body surface area burns. That’s

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Game Never Over

When I first came across Zhou Yi Chen (周一忱)’s game dedicated to his grandmother, I was struck by how a video game—of all things—could so powerfully convey the depth of human emotion. This isn’t your typical action-packed or puzzle-solving game; it’s a gentle,

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A life remembered is a life honoured

A life remembered is a life honoured

Recently in a casual conversation in the ward, a doctor asked me why do MSWs write such lengthy entries which may potentially take up a lot of time on our part, when other members of the team may not have the time to read them. I was mildly disappointed at

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Cultural discernment in Modern Medicine

Cultural discernment in Modern Medicine

Formation of Bhutan's Palliative Care service It is my privilege to have served as faculty member in the Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care Bhutan program the past 4 modules. During the first 2 modules in 2018 and 2019, the late Prof Cynthia Goh planted the first seeds that

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What is this? What is life?

What is this? What is life?

What is this? What is life? Where is life? Life is here. This is it. The scream of humanity. He came in a chariot of fire. Professor Woo Keng Thye, Emeritus Consultant and Advisor to the Dept of Renal Medicine, Singapore General Hospital is also Clinical Professor in Medicine at

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Poetry in Response: Two Hearts Echo Back

Poetry in Response: Two Hearts Echo Back

This week brings a special treat to our readers - we are honored to share not one, but two poetic responses to our recent piece "A hole in the heart." It's deeply moving to see how this personal narrative has resonated with our community, inspiring others to

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A hole in the heart

A hole in the heart

They call it a defect How can it be? You’re perfect A hole in the wall, doesn’t say it all There’s much more to it, in fact That murmur, that thrill Rendered me far less than thrilled But if there’s a void, then let’s not

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An open door

You don't have to be a writer. anyone, really.

HEART started because medical humanities can sound like a closed club. We don't want to run that room. We want to run the pantry next door, where people come in, make a kopi, and tell you something they haven't been able to say all week.

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We read everything. We reply to everything. Any length, any form — a polished essay, a rough draft, a single line on a napkin, a voice memo you don't know what to do with.

Anonymous submissions are welcome — and often the most powerful.

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