Government and community working together to help the vulnerable in our society

Ms Ho Ching, Patron of Assisi Hospice

Mr Ronny Tan, Chairman of Assisi Hospice

Board of Directors

Friends and supporters

Good evening.  

1. I am delighted to be here with you at the Assisi Hospice Charity Dinner. It is heartening to see so many friends coming together for a good cause and a common purpose.

2. Let me start by acknowledging the entire team at Assisi Hospice – the board, management and staff. Your dedication and hard work have truly made a difference to the lives of the patients at Assisi Hospice.
   

Importance of end-of-life care

3. End-of-life care can be a difficult and sensitive subject. But it is a conversation that our society increasingly needs to have. In Singapore and around the world, we continue to see new advancements in modern medicine on a regular basis. We can look forward to longer lives.

4. This also means that more and more of us may have to deal with progressive conditions that can be stretched out over months or years. On top of this, we have a rapidly ageing population. So we are likely to see a vastly accelerated demand for hospices and palliative care.

Building capacity

5. This is why earlier this year the Ministry of Health has announced plans to raise the quality, accessibility and affordability of the entire health care system in Singapore, including palliative care. One key component of the plans is to expand the capacity of home and inpatient palliative care.

6. I am very glad to hear that Assisi Hospice is joining the Government in this effort with the expansion of its facilities. As Ronny shared earlier, the new building will be ready in 2017. With a higher bed capacity and a purpose-built facility, the Hospice will be better positioned to serve the needs of the community.

Raising awareness

7. Having new premises is a good step forward in addressing the supply of medical infrastructure and services to the community.

8. But when it comes to end-of-life care, it goes deeper than the “hardware”. It has to do with the values we hold as a society, and the attitudes we have towards living and dying. Overall, there is still a lack of awareness surrounding these end-of-life care issues in Singapore.

9. Compassionate end-of-life care is not about “waiting for the last day”, but “living to the last day”. It is about the celebration of life. It is about empowering the patient to experience life with peace and dignity, even as they battle a crippling condition. These are not purely scientific or quantitative problems of supply and demand. They are driven by values and emotions. They require honest conversations, a compassionate environment, and active participation from the community to address.

10. Hospices serve a very important but seldom-talked-about role in medical care. The care you provide goes beyond physical needs. At hospices we have social workers, counsellors and many volunteers who provide patients and families with emotional support.

Volunteerism and philanthropy

11. In July this year, I understand that Assisi Hospice launched a pilot volunteer programme called 'No One Dies Alone' (NODA) to provide companionship and reassurance to patients, particularly those who have little or no social support. 

12. One such patient was Jenny, aged 53. Shortly after her admission to Assisi Hospice, the volunteers under the programme would spend time with her, often serving beyond their scheduled hours of service. They were the witnesses to Jenny's journey towards peace and acceptance of her condition.

13. When Jenny was dangerously ill one Saturday night, the nurse on duty contacted the volunteer coordinator, Jaki. Jaki immediately activated a 24-hour vigil amongst the volunteers. So as Jenny neared the end of her life, she was able to do so in the love and care of the volunteers.   

14. Programmes like this work because of the commitment and dedication of Assisi's volunteers. They provide direct and hands-on care to patients as Volunteer Carers and they help with general duties at the Hospice. They do many things – from befriending patients, to providing patient care, and assisting in the patients' therapy.

15. So I would like to recognise all of our volunteers tonight. The Government can provide facilities, Assisi Hospice can raise funds to build a building but none of this can be done without the role of volunteers. All of you help to provide a helping hand to those in need, and make a difference in their lives. Thank you for your selfless spirit of service.

Conclusion

16. The Government will do its part in cultivating this spirit of giving. For example, as part of the celebrations for our 50th anniversary next year, our SG50 celebrations, we have launched the “Care and Share” movement. Under this movement, the Government will contribute $250 million in matching grants for contributions to the social service sector. So every contribution to the sector will have double the impact, and VWOs will be able to channel more resources for their beneficiaries.

17. The Care and Share movement has already helped rally the nation to donate generously. One such donor was Madam Khoo Bee See, who had earlier pledged $1 million to the Assisi Hospice. Her donation is being matched by the Government.

18. Tonight, all of us have a chance to build on the momentum set by Madam Khoo. So I hope you will donate generously and join the Assisi Hospice in touching the lives of thousands of patients over the many years to come.

19. Beyond donations, the Care & Share movement is also about mobilising volunteers. This is equally if not more important than the cash donations we make. When we volunteer and serve, we meet people in circumstances different from our own; we develop greater empathy and learn what it means to walk in the shoes of others; and we have a stronger sense of duty and responsibility for our fellow citizens. 

20. This is the kind of partnership we need to build to have a better society – with the government and community working together to help the vulnerable in our society. It is this spirit of fellowship and mutual support that will be crucial in taking our nation forward.

21. All of you are here tonight because you care – you care deeply about the work of Assisi Hospice, and more importantly, you care about the kind of society we want to be in Singapore. So I encourage all of us to continue to do our part to nurture a more gracious and giving society; to inculcate the spirit of volunteerism into our nation's DNA; and to build a better Singapore for the future. 

22. Thank you and I wish everyone a pleasant evening ahead.