The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Singaore has launched the 2023 National Strategy for Palliative Care (NSPC), which outlines recommendations to expand and improve palliative care in Singapore, to enable more people to fulfil their aspirations to leave with dignity and comfort according to their preferences.

In parallel, MoH has reviewed the financing framework for palliative care, and will enhance financing support for palliative care from 2024, which will improve affordability and support capacity expansion.

A workgroup, comprising palliative care experts appointed by MoH, has formulated a new suite of 11 recommendations under the focus areas of Access, Quality, and Palliative Care Environment, which informs MoH’s development plans for the palliative care sector for the next five to 10 years. MoH has accepted the recommendations, and an Implementation Committee comprising sector stakeholders will oversee their implementation over the next five years. 

All patients with life-threatening illnesses should receive timely access to palliative care that meets their needs. To do this, Singapore intends to develop a sustainable care model across all care settings. 

In addition, the Ministry will align drug and vaccine subsidies for patients utilising nursing home, home medical, home palliative care, and day hospice services with those at Specialist Outpatient Clinics. These changes will take place in the fourth quarter of 2024.