Healthcare Charities, Foundations, Hospice and Palliative Care in Singapore

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Singapore's healthcare charity landscape includes major hospital foundations, disease-specific organisations, and a well-developed palliative care network. Healthcare subsidies follow a "3M" framework — MediSave, MediShield Life, and MediFund — with additional schemes like CHAS for primary care. Palliative care is provided through home hospice, inpatient hospice, and day hospice services, with subsidies of up to 80% for Singapore Citizens.

MAJOR HEALTHCARE FOUNDATIONS

CHRONIC DISEASE SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS

Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF)

Non-profit serving underprivileged end-stage kidney patients. 80%+ of patients pay nothing for dialysis.

Services: Subsidised haemodialysis, portable subsidy programme, holistic psychosocial support

Dialysis Centres:

• HQ: 20 Peck Seah Street #03-00, S079312; Tel: 6559 2630
• Website: www.kdf.org.sg

National Kidney Foundation (NKF)

Non-profit for kidney health advocacy, dialysis treatment, and public education.

• Services: Quality dialysis, Comprehensive PD Community Support Programme, Kidney Discovery Centre, Health Education Bus
• Tel: 1800-KIDNEYS (1800-5436397) (Mon–Thu 8:30am–6pm, Fri 8:30am–5pm)
• HQ: 81 Kim Keat Road, S328836
• Website: www.nkfs.org

Singapore Cancer Society (SCS)

Financial services, cancer screening, psychosocial support, rehabilitation, hospice care.

• Locations: Cancer Rehabilitation Centres at NCCS and NCIS; SCS Clinic at Bishan Junction 8; SCS Survivorship Centre at Woods Square
• Hotline: 1800-727-3333 (1800-SCS-3333)
• Website: www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg

Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF)

Promotes heart health, prevents cardiovascular disease and stroke.

• Heart Wellness Programme: Community cardiac rehabilitation at Junction 8, Fortune Centre, Bukit Gombak Sports Centre
• Project Heart: Mass CPR+AED training
• Tel: 6354 9340 (Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:30pm)
• Website: www.myheart.org.sg

Diabetic Society of Singapore / Diabetes Singapore

Awareness, education, counselling, support for people with diabetes.

Services: Blood glucose/HbA1c checks, counselling, dietetic and podiatry, support groups, cooking demos

• Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm, Sat 8:30am–12:30pm
• Website: www.diabetes.org.sg

PALLIATIVE CARE AND HOSPICE

HCA Hospice

Singapore's largest home hospice care provider. All services free of charge.

• Services: Home hospice (4,700+ patients/year), day hospice, Star PALS (paediatric palliative — Singapore's only children's hospice), bereavement support, 24/7 hotline
• Tel: 6251 2561
• Email: contactus@hcahospicecare.org.sg
• Address: 705 Serangoon Road, Block A #03-01 @Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital, S328127
• Website: www.hca.org.sg

Dover Park Hospice

Secular, non-profit (est. 1992). 10,000+ patients/families served since 1995.

• Services: Inpatient hospice, home hospice care, bereavement support
• Tel: 6500 7272
• Email: info@doverpark.sg
• Address: 1 Tan Tock Seng Link, TTSH Integrated Care Hub, S307382
• Website: www.doverpark.org.sg

Assisi Hospice

80 inpatient beds, Day Care Centre, Home Care team. Specialised dementia palliative care ward.

• Services: Inpatient, day care, home care, NODA (No One Dies Alone volunteer programme)
• Serves ~3,200 patients/year. Expanding home palliative care by 50% by end-2026.
• Tel: 6832 2650
• Email: assisi@assisihospice.org.sg
• Address: 832 Thomson Road, S574627
• Website: www.assisihospice.org.sg

Singapore Hospice Council

Umbrella body with 26 member organisations coordinating palliative care standards.

• Tel: 6538 2231
• Address: 535 Kallang Bahru, #03-09 GB Point, S339351
• Website: www.singaporehospice.org.sg

Palliative Care Subsidies

• Singapore Citizens: up to 80%; PRs: up to 50%
• All citizens receive at least 50% regardless of income
• MediSave: up to $250/day (general), $350/day (specialised)
• Equipment Rental Subsidies: at least 50% for patients with ≤1 year prognosis

CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE

Children's Cancer Foundation (CCF)

Supports children with cancer and their families (est. 1992).

• PALS (Place for Academic Learning and Support): learning centre for school transition
• Community social work, recreational activities, palliative and bereavement support
• VIVA-CCF Hub at Novena Specialist Centre
• Tel: 6229 3701; Email: enquiries@ccf.org.sg
• Address: 535 Kallang Bahru, #02-01 GB Point, S339351
• Website: www.ccf.org.sg

VIVA Foundation for Children with Cancer

Research, medical care, and education (est. 2006).

• VIVA-University Children's Cancer Centre (VUC3) at NUH
• St. Jude-VIVA Survivorship Programme
• Tel: 9722 0361 (Helpline); 6772 5030 (NUH appointments)
• Address: 8 Sinaran Drive, #03-01 VIVA Hub, Novena Specialist Centre, S307470
• Website: www.viva.sg

Club Rainbow (Singapore)

Non-profit supporting children with chronic illnesses (est. 1992).

• 5 pillars: Social Work, Therapy, Education, Art Development, Vocational Development
• 30+ programmes; satellite centres at KKH and NUH
• Tel: 6377 1789; Email: contact@clubrainbow.org
• Address: Blk 538 Upper Cross Street #05-263/269, S050538
• Website: www.clubrainbow.org

COMMUNITY HEALTH SCHEMES

CHAS (Community Health Assist Scheme)

All Singapore Citizens eligible. Subsidies at GP and dental clinics.

Chronic condition subsidies range from $28–$135/visit depending on tier and complexity.

• Hotline: 1800-275-2427 (1800-ASK-CHAS)
• Website: www.chas.sg
• Application: chas.moh.gov.sg

MediFund

Safety net for citizens who cannot afford bills after subsidies, MediShield Life, and MediSave.

• Applied through Medical Social Worker at MediFund-approved public institutions
• Variants: MediFund (general), MediFund Silver (65+), MediFund Junior (≤18)
• No fixed amounts — decided by independent committee at each institution

MediShield Life

Universal health insurance for all citizens and PRs.

• Annual claim limit: $200,000 (from April 2025)
• No lifetime claim limit
• Premium subsidies: up to 60% for lower/middle-income
• New outpatient deductible: $500/year from January 2026

Hospital Subsidies (Public Hospitals, B2/C Wards)

• Singapore Citizens: 50–80% (means-tested)
• PRs: up to 50%
• Automatic based on means test — no application required

MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK

Medical Social Workers (MSWs) are based in all public hospitals and polyclinics. They provide:

• Financial counselling and subsidy navigation
• MediFund applications
• Emotional and psychosocial support
• Discharge planning and community resource connections

How to access: Through doctor's referral, or approach the hospital's Medical Social Services department directly.

KEY CONTACTS