SPEECH BY MDM RAHAYU MAHZAM, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT AND INFORMATION & MINISTRY OF HEALTH AT THE DOVER PARK HOSPICE SUNFLOWER CHARITY GALA 2024 ON 17 AUGUST 2024, 7PM AT THE GRAND BALLROOM, THE RITZ-CARLTON, MILLENIA SINGAPORE

Associate Professor Jeremy Lim, Chairman of DPH

Dr Liew Li Lian, CEO, DPH 

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

1. Good evening. It is my pleasure to be here tonight at DPH’s annual Sunflower Charity Gala. 

2. On this occasion, we gather to celebrate the outstanding work of DPH and the important role that it plays as a leading centre for palliative care, research and education. 

Supporting the Palliative Care Needs of a Super-aged Society 

3. Singapore will become a ‘super-aged’ society by 2026, with 21 per cent of our population aged 60 and above. As Singapore’s population ages, the demand for palliative care services will increase.  

4. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is committed to ensuring that our seniors are supported in receiving quality palliative care at their end of life, in the setting of their choice, and for families and caregivers to be well-supported throughout the grieving and bereavement process. 

DPH’s Metamorphosis Over the Past Year 

5. This year’s theme is “Metamorphosis”, which signifies a marked transformation. Indeed, DPH has undergone its own metamorphosis in the past year, as it moved from its old building in Jalan Tan Tock Seng to its bigger and newer premise at the Tan Tock Seng – Integrated Care Hub (TTSH-ICH) in Oct 2023. This year’s gala takes a special significance, as we honour the transformation that has taken place, from its humble beginnings to a more spacious, modern facility, equipped to better provide palliative care to those who need it most. 

2023 National Strategy for Palliative Care 

6. Singapore’s palliative care landscape is also in the process of undergoing its own metamorphosis. In July 2023, MOH launched the refreshed National Strategy for Palliative Care that is set to transform the landscape even further, by expanding and improving palliative care in Singapore, hence enabling more people to fulfil their wish to pass on with dignity and comfort.  

7. The Strategy represents our commitment to enhancing palliative care. Over the past year since the strategy was launched, we have made significant progress in making palliative care more accessible for patients. For example, we rolled out MediSave and MediShield Life enhancements in February 2024. All Singapore citizens, regardless of income, will also receive at least 50% subsidies when the enhanced palliative care subsidy framework kicks in from October 2024. We have also rolled out standardised compassionate discharge protocols across hospitals in May 2024, making it easier for the terminally ill to return home for their final days. 

8. We will continue to work closely with sector partners, including DPH, to implement the recommendations. One of the most immediate steps is increasing our nation-wide home palliative care capacity target from 2,400 to 3,600 by end-2025, to enable more individuals to pass on at home. 

Increasing Accessibility and Quality of Care

9. Indeed, just as our strategy represents our commitment to enhancing palliative care in Singapore, so does DPH’s new home represent its commitment to its palliative care mission. With larger premises, DPH has been able to improve the accessibility of palliative care services. The increase in physical space allows DPH to expand inpatient and day care spaces by 40% and 50% respectively in the coming years. The relocation also brought about improvement in quality of care, with better coordination of services between Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s acute medical teams and DPH’s palliative care team. These are crucial handovers that enable smoother transitions for our patients to return to their homes and communities. 

10. I understand that DPH has committed to increasing its home palliative care capacity by more than 200 clients by end 2025. This represents an increase of almost 80% from 2023. With these 500 places, DPH will be contributing to the nation-wide target of 3,600 home palliative patients, by end 2025.

11. Beyond capacity, DPH has been leading the way in improving quality of care to palliative care patients with non-cancer conditions. For instance, DPH has been supporting patients with advanced dementia and end-stage organ failure through Programme Dignity and Programme IMPACT. Their “R.I.S.E.” programme provides palliative rehabilitation to patients with heart and lung failure who experience breathlessness, so that they can better manage their conditions and continue to have quality of life. 

12. Finally, DPH has demonstrated its innovating spirit in embarking on the Tan Tock Seng-DPH pilot programme. Through this pilot, TTSH and DPH are testing out a new financing model involving bundling of services with a simplified funding formula. This would enable patients and families to receive seamless palliative care across settings. I am hopeful that this pilot will provide insights to how we can improve access and the patient’s experience across the palliative care sector. We look forward to the outcomes in the months to come. 

Future Forward Plans

13. In the year ahead, I am heartened to hear that that  DPH will continue its efforts in enhancing Singapore’s palliative care sector. These include expanding home care services to help patients pass on peacefully at home, and working closely with hospitals on compassionate discharges. Further, DPH will step up its caregiver and bereavement support, as seen by the Rose for Remembrance annual event, to support family members mourning their loved ones who passed on in the last year. I am confident that DPH will continue delivering its best for palliative care patients and their families.  

Closing

14. In closing, I want to reiterate that the strides we make in palliative care are only possible because of the collective effort of everyone from our healthcare professionals, policy makers, academia, community partners, donors, volunteers and supporters like yourselves. 

15. I also want to congratulate DPH for the successful event tonight, and an excellent fundraising effort to support Singaporeans in need of palliative care. 

16. Thank you, and have a wonderful evening.