Putting Patients at the Heart of Innovation: Voices Across Asia Pacific Help Shape the Future of Structural Heart Care

Patients from Australia, India, Indonesia, South Korea and Singapore gathered at Edwards Lifesciences' annual APAC Patient Experience event to share their stories and help advance more patient-centered care.

SINGAPORE, Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As structural heart disease continues to impact a growing number of people across Asia Pacific amid a rapidly ageing population, Edwards Lifesciences (Edwards) brought together patients for its annual Asia-Pacific Patient Experience event. The programme created a platform for patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and employees to share perspectives, foster meaningful connections and deepen understanding of the patient journey.

More than 80 million people worldwide live with some type of heart valve disease, according to the American Heart Association^[1]. With Asia Pacific ageing faster than any other region in the world^[2], a substantial rise in degenerative valvular heart disease across the region is expected in the coming years. Recent research highlights valvular heart disease as a growing health burden across Asia Pacific, driven by demographic changes and increasing life expectancy^[3]. These trends underscore the importance of understanding patient experiences and ensuring patient perspectives help inform future care.

The Patient Experience event is a cornerstone of Edwards' patient-focused culture and reflects the company's belief that patient voices should help shape the future of care. By listening directly to patients' experiences, from diagnosis and treatment through recovery, Edwards gains valuable insights into the realities of living with structural heart disease. These perspectives help strengthen patient engagement and advocacy efforts, inspire innovation rooted in real-world needs, and reinforce the company's commitment to improving outcomes and quality of life for patients.

While each patient's journey was unique, common themes emerged across the event: unexpected diagnoses, uncertainty and fear following life-changing news, reliance on family and caregivers for support, and the opportunity to regain quality of life through timely treatment. Together, their stories highlighted the importance of greater awareness, earlier intervention, innovation and patient-centered care.

For Jai Arora, 47, from India, it began with fear.

"I was in the best shape of my life," Arora said. "Finding out I had a serious heart condition was a shock, I never saw coming. The idea that something could be wrong with my heart, when I felt invincible, was terrifying."

For Haehun Choi, 68, from South Korea, the diagnosis came completely without warning.

"I had no symptoms at all, I felt completely fine," Choi said. "It was only because of a routine check-up, and because my daughter booked me to see a specialist, that we found out how serious it was. If I hadn't gone for the check-up, I don't know when we would have caught it."

For Qi Le Ee, 17, from Singapore — the diagnosis came completely out of the blue, beginning with nothing more than a persistent fever.

"It started with just a fever, we thought it was dengue," said Ee. "I was quite shocked when we found out how serious it actually was. Nothing about it seemed like a heart problem, until suddenly it was."

For Dien Harmani, from Indonesia, it meant leaning on his family.

"This journey was never something I faced alone," Harmani said. "I trusted my son to help me make the right decisions, and I trusted the team who cared for me. Having them by my side made all the difference."

For Geoff Lewis, 75, from Australia, it meant returning to spending more time with his family.

"Every day I just seem to feel a little better," Lewis said. "It's been like a second wind. The first effect after the operation was phenomenal. I'm able to do so much more, and I'm not slowing down the way I used to and able to spend more time with my family."

Turning Patient Insights into Action

Beyond their personal journeys, the stories shared during the event offered valuable insights into the realities of living with structural heart disease. From recognizing symptoms and navigating diagnosis to making treatment decisions and recovering with the support of family and caregivers, these experiences highlighted opportunities to better support patients throughout the care journey.

"At Edwards, innovation begins with understanding the people we serve," said Amit Raheja, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific, Edwards Lifesciences. "The Patient Experience gives us the opportunity to learn directly from patients and caregivers about the realities of living with structural heart disease. Their experiences remind us that behind every innovation is a person, a family and a journey, and they help guide us as we work to improve outcomes for patients around the world."

Beyond patient sharing sessions, the programme included a tour of Edwards' Singapore facility and demonstrations showcasing the craftsmanship involved in developing structural heart technologies, offering patients a closer look at the people, expertise and care behind every innovation.

By bringing together patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and employees, Edwards hopes to foster greater awareness of structural heart disease while ensuring patient voices continue to inform the future of care across Asia Pacific.

[1] Palaniappan LP, Allen NB, Almarzooq ZI, et al. 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2026;153(9):e275-e906. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001412

[2] United Nations Population Fund, Asia and the Pacific Regional Office. "#ForEveryAge." UNFPA Asia and the Pacific, asiapacific.unfpa.org/en/foreveryage

[3] So, K. C., Yap, J., Song, G. Y., Poon, K., Sung, S. H., Chandavimol, M., Hayashida, K., & Lam, Y. Y. (2025). Epidemiology of valvular heart disease in Asia Pacific region. JACC: Asia, 5(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacasi.2025.03.011

^[1] Palaniappan LP, Allen NB, Almarzooq ZI, et al. 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2026;153(9):e275-e906. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001412

^[2] United Nations Population Fund, Asia and the Pacific Regional Office. "#ForEveryAge." UNFPA Asia and the Pacific, asiapacific.unfpa.org/en/foreveryage

^[3] So, K. C., Yap, J., Song, G. Y., Poon, K., Sung, S. H., Chandavimol, M., Hayashida, K., & Lam, Y. Y. (2025). Epidemiology of valvular heart disease in Asia Pacific region. JACC: Asia, 5(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacasi.2025.03.011

About Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences is the leading global structural heart innovation company, driven by a passion to improve patient lives. Through breakthrough technologies, world-class evidence and partnerships with clinicians and healthcare stakeholders, our employees are inspired by our patient-focused culture to deliver life-changing innovations to those who need them most. Discover more at www.edwards.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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Putting Patients at the Heart of Innovation: Voices Across Asia Pacific Help Shape the Future of Structural Heart Care

Health Ministry Seeks Affordable Malaysian Healthcare for Bangladeshi Patients

DHAKA, Bangladesh, Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A delegation from Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), led by H.E. Mohd Shuhada Othman, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Bangladesh, met with H.E. Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain, Honourable Minister of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh, at his office to further advance healthcare cooperation between Malaysia and Bangladesh.

The engagement forms part of MHTC's Working Visit and Engagement in Bangladesh from 17 to 20 August 2026 and builds on the momentum generated by the official visit of the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to Malaysia on 22 June 2026. During the visit, the Leaders of both countries expressed optimism about expanding bilateral cooperation in the healthcare sector, particularly in conjunction with Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 (MYMT2026).

The meeting provided an opportunity to explore avenues for closer collaboration in healthcare and medical tourism, while further strengthening the longstanding and friendly relations between Malaysia and Bangladesh. This commitment is underpinned by growing demand. Healthcare travel revenue from Bangladeshi healthcare travellers to Malaysia rose from RM2.2 million in Q1 2025 to RM2.7 million in Q1 2026, representing a 22.7 per cent increase and highlighting the growing potential of Bangladesh as an important market for Malaysian healthcare.

"Malaysia and Bangladesh have built more than five decades of partnership, and in June our leaders agreed to extend that partnership into healthcare. Our responsibility now is to translate that commitment into practical cooperation, not only in healthcare travel, but in the exchange of skills, standards and knowledge that strengthens both our systems," said Dato' Suriaghandi Suppiah, Chief Executive Officer of MHTC.

The Honourable Minister emphasised the importance of making Malaysian healthcare more accessible and affordable to the wider population in Bangladesh, including through competitive pricing and, where possible, special packages. He also stressed the importance of establishing clear and effective communication channels between patients and hospitals to ensure a smooth healthcare journey. Malaysia's combination of medical excellence, accessibility, and a Muslim-friendly environment, supported by high safety standards, specialised healthcare services, and Malaysian hospitality, provides a strong foundation for meeting these needs. Malaysia's established healthcare ecosystem, regulated under the Ministry of Health Malaysia, together with its patient-centred approach, further provides patients and their families with confidence throughout their healthcare journey.

Representing Irving Aviation, MHTC's local partner in Bangladesh, HBM Lutfur Rahman highlighted the benefits that Malaysian healthcare can offer Bangladeshi patients, including access to experienced specialists and established medical institutions, as well as Malaysia's Muslim-friendly environment, halal food, and renowned hospitality.

Under MYMT2026, themed "Healing Meets Hospitality", MHTC will continue to expand its engagement in Bangladesh through potential healthcare awareness and educational programmes, participation by Malaysian healthcare institutions in relevant initiatives, specialist consultation and second-opinion programmes, and further government-to-government and institutional engagements. MHTC will continue working with Bangladeshi health authorities, healthcare institutions and professionals throughout MYMT2026 to establish durable, mutually beneficial partnerships that strengthen healthcare cooperation between Malaysia and Bangladesh.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:

Siti Hamidah Mohd Najib
Senior Executive, PR and Media
Communications
+603 8776 6168
hamidah.m@mhtc.org.my

Mohamad Shahizam Fauzi                                                 
Head, Communications
+603 8776 6168                                                                   
shahizam.f@mhtc.org.my

Abid Rahman Rafsan
+8801762001467
Irving Aviation Ltd.

About Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council

Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), established in 2009 under the purview of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, is entrusted with developing and nurturing the "Malaysia Healthcare" brand. MHTC enhances, coordinates, and promotes Malaysia's healthcare travel industry by fostering industry collaborations and building valuable public-private partnerships both domestically and internationally. With 91 member hospitals nationwide, MHTC continues to elevate the healthcare travel ecosystem through strong branding, seamless patient experiences, and strategic market initiatives. In line with these efforts, MHTC is spearheading the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026, the nation's first dedicated year to celebrate and advance healthcare travel. MYMT2026 serves as a milestone initiative to showcase Malaysia's world-class healthcare offerings, strengthen its position as the premier global healthcare destination, and highlight the industry's significant contribution to the national economy.

MHTC's website: https://www.malaysiahealthcare.org.

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MALAYSIA AND BANGLADESH TRANSLATE LEADERS' COMMITMENT INTO HEALTHCARE COOPERATION