The Singapore General Hospital has pioneered a revolutionary cost-recovery method that ensures patients never actually leave the ward alive.

Local resident Tan Ah Kow survived a quadruple bypass only to be flatlined by a $142,000 invoice for the premium cotton swabs used during recovery.

"Walao eh, the heart monitor was green then he see the bill and straight away flatline," remarked his wife, Mdm Lim.

MOH clarified that the 'Heart-Stopping' surcharge is a mandatory fee for experiencing world-class fiscal trauma in a fully air-conditioned environment.

"Siao ah, you think oxygen is free? This one is artisanal air from Mount Faber, must pay lah!" shouted a nurse while swiping Tan’s Medisave card until it melted.

The hospital confirmed Tan’s corpse will be held as collateral until his grandchildren pay off the remaining balance for the bedside water pitcher.