DPM Heng Swee Keat at HCA Hospice's 35th Anniversary

Mr Lim Boon Heng, Patron, HCA Hospice
Ms Tan Soh Keng, Chairman, HCA Hospice
Ms Karen Lee,
CEO, HCA Hospice,
Dr Seet Ai Mee,

Friends and supporters of HCA Hospice,

A very good evening to everyone.

It is wonderful to see so many of you spending your Sunday evening to celebrate HCA's 35th anniversary of honouring life and also support a very meaningful cause.

Your presence reflects your deep commitment to supporting HCA's cause of bringing comfort and dignity to those in need.

Your outfits are dazzling, and your generosity shines even brighter!

An ageing population is one of the defining demographic trends around the world, including in Singapore.

In 2010, 1 in 10 Singaporeans were above 65 years old. Today, it is 1 in 5. By 2030, that figure will be closer to 1 in 4.

While the average lifespan is 84 years, the average healthspan is only 74 years.

This means that the average Singaporean spends 10 years in ill health.

In line with these trends, the need for palliative care will increase. The Ministry of Health launched the refreshed National Strategy for Palliative Care last year.

Partners like HCA Hospice are crucial to its success, as we work to increase awareness and acceptance of such services, and increase the capacity to meet potential demand.

We have also made progress to improve the accessibility and affordability of palliative care for patients. For instance:

MediSave and MediShield Life enhancements were implemented in February 2024, and the enhanced palliative care subsidy framework was implemented in October 2024.

These enhancements provide subsidies of at least 50% to all Singapore Citizens, regardless of their income.

The equipment rental scheme, or ERS, also provides affordable and timely access to equipment such as hospital beds and oxygen concentrators.

But despite this progress and greater openness around the topics of death and dying, Singaporeans still hold many misconceptions.

A recent study by the Lien Foundation highlights the top three misconceptions:

First, palliative care is only for those at the end stage of their lives;

Second, palliative care is only for the dying; and

Third, choosing palliative care means giving up on curative treatment.

It is therefore important for organisations like HCA Hospice to show that end-of-life care can be a beautiful experience too.

By journeying alongside their patients and families in their homes, the HCA care team reminds us that life is worth celebrating.

As Singapore's largest home hospice care provider, and a registered charity, HCA provides home hospice care to about 3,600 patients and make about 43,000 visits to beneficiaries' homes annually at no charge.

HCA also provides other services such as day hospices at Marsiling and Outram, and support for caregivers.

HCA's ethos of ensuring that each patient has A Good Day with HCA is one that emphasises quality of life - by respecting their patients' wishes, and meeting them on their terms, and in their turf.

With the rising needs, the support of donors and volunteers is critical to the success of HCA's Mission.

I was speaking to two of the beneficiaries earlier - Gotha and Wee Yang. It is wonderful to see them celebrating life and their recovery.

As we celebrate 35 years of honouring life, I trust that we will all make tonight a specially Good Day with good contributions from all.

Your generosity and commitment to HCA's mission will help to ensure that more individuals experience the compassion and care they deserve.

I visited "A Good Day" booth earlier, just outside and I find so many inspiring stories of how HCA Hospice has evolved over the years, from the very first time that it was set up 35 years go to the changes that they have made over the years. They have done and contributed so much to the lives of people around them. Thank you very much, HCA!

Your dedication in creating these precious memories for patients and their families is wonderful.

Let us also thank the volunteer photographers who have dedicated time to take the wonderful photographs of the beneficiaries and their families.

Let me thank every one of you for being here, for your unwavering support, and for uplifting lives. Enjoy the evening!

Topics: Healthcare, Disabilities