Usage statistics of AEDs in HDB towns and plans for expansion to private developments

Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) since their installation, how many automated external defibrillators (AEDs) located in HDB towns have been used to assist individuals suffering from medical conditions; and (b) whether there are plans to expand the availability of AEDs to private developments.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. The Save-a-Life initiative was launched in August 2015 with the aim of installing one AED at the lift lobby of every two Housing and Development

2. Board (HDB) blocks across Singapore. By end-2025, over 5,000 AEDs had been deployed under this programme. These AEDs have been used more than 4,500 times.

3. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) partners with community partners and Residents’ Networks on the installation of AEDs in private residential developments, including landed estates and condominiums. SCDF is also working with the Singapore Heart Foundation to maintain a registry for all publicly-accessible AEDs, engage businesses to install AEDs on their premises, and encourage registration of these devices on the national registry.