Ex-PM of Singapore has nerve disease
Source: Agencies |
November 7, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew has a rare nerve disease that makes walking difficult, his daughter said yesterday.
Lee, 88, has been diagnosed with sensory peripheral neuropathy, a disease that affects the nervous system and undermines balance, Lee Wei Ling said.
"On some days he is fairly steady and on other days his balance is poor," said Wei Ling, who is a doctor and director of Singapore's National Neuroscience Institute. "Being deprived of sensation in his legs means he finds it a challenge to balance."
Lee's brain and muscles work normally, Wei Ling said. Lee stepped down as a cabinet minister earlier this year but is still a member of parliament and frequently travels abroad to meet foreign leaders.
"I think with medication and simple precautions, he can continue to be of service to his country and the world," Wei Ling said.
Sensory peripheral neuro-pathy has a range of causes, but Wei Ling did not specify what may have caused her father's problems.
Lee became prime minister in 1959 and saw the country through self-rule under the British, a two-year federation with Malaysia and finally independence in 1965.
He remained in office until 1990, overseeing a period of rapid development that turned Singapore into a modern, virtually corruption-free society that remains a darling of foreign investors.
Lee's son Lee Hsien Loong is now prime minister.
Lee, 88, has been diagnosed with sensory peripheral neuropathy, a disease that affects the nervous system and undermines balance, Lee Wei Ling said.
"On some days he is fairly steady and on other days his balance is poor," said Wei Ling, who is a doctor and director of Singapore's National Neuroscience Institute. "Being deprived of sensation in his legs means he finds it a challenge to balance."
Lee's brain and muscles work normally, Wei Ling said. Lee stepped down as a cabinet minister earlier this year but is still a member of parliament and frequently travels abroad to meet foreign leaders.
"I think with medication and simple precautions, he can continue to be of service to his country and the world," Wei Ling said.
Sensory peripheral neuro-pathy has a range of causes, but Wei Ling did not specify what may have caused her father's problems.
Lee became prime minister in 1959 and saw the country through self-rule under the British, a two-year federation with Malaysia and finally independence in 1965.
He remained in office until 1990, overseeing a period of rapid development that turned Singapore into a modern, virtually corruption-free society that remains a darling of foreign investors.
Lee's son Lee Hsien Loong is now prime minister.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
