Cynthia Goh

Cynthia Goh (21 November 1949 – 13 February 2022) was a pioneer of palliative care in Singapore. She served as the chairman of the Singapore Hospice Council and the co-chairman of the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance, and was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame in 2014.

Early life and education

Goh was born on 21 November 1949 in Hong Kong, to a family of doctors. She went to London to study in St. Bartholomew's Hospital, University of London, where she met her future husband, Dr. Goh Hak-Su, in 1969, and graduated in 1974.[1][2] She trained as a specialist in internal medicine.[2]

Medical career

After moving to Singapore, Goh began working as a volunteer doctor at the St. Joseph's Home and Hospice in 1986.[2][3] Under the Singapore Cancer Society, several volunteers, including Goh, began a hospice home care service, and formed HCA Hospice Care in 1989.[2] She served as the chairman of the Singapore Hospice Council.[1][4] Goh helped set up palliative care services at the Singapore General Hospital and the Singapore National Cancer Centre in 1999.[2] She also served as the National Cancer Centre's head.[5]

Goh was appointed the co-head of the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance on 27 May 2009.[6][7] Later that year, she was appointed the chairman of the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network, but moved to the advisory chair position in 2021.[1][8] She was also the centre director for the Lien Centre for Palliative Care.[9]

Goh was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame in 2014 for her contributions to palliative care in Singapore.[2]

Personal life

Goh married in 1974 and gave birth to a daughter and a son.[1] In 1981, she and her family moved to Singapore,

In November 2019, Goh was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and underwent surgery and chemotherapy till May 2020.[1] In August 2021, a lump was found in her lung, and she underwent surgery to remove it. However, by then, the cancer had spread to other parts of her body.[1] In January 2022, she asked for several of her colleagues to assist her with pain management due to her cancer.[10]

Goh died on 13 February 2022 in her house.[1]

References

1. Yeo, Shu Hui (14 February 2022). "Pioneer of palliative care, Prof Cynthia Goh, dies of pancreatic cancer at age 72". The Straits Times. Singapore. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
2. "Cynthia Goh". Singapore Women's Hall of Fame. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
3. Yeo, Shu Hui (14 February 2022). "Palliative care pioneer Prof Cynthia Goh dies of pancreatic cancer". The New Paper. Singapore. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
4. Ng, Shing Yi (24 September 2003). "Hospices in a bind". today. Singapore. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
5. Tan, Hui Leng (19 March 2008). "Rethinking end-of-life care". today. Singapore. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
6. "Global palliative role". The Straits Times. Singapore. 27 May 2009.
7. Wee, Desmond (27 May 2009). "Palliative doctor takes on global role". The Straits Times. Singapore.
8. Krishna, Lalit. "In Memory of Prof Cynthia Goh (1949-2022): Whispers of a Mentor". Singapore Medical Association. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
9. Neo, Chai Chin (15 July 2010). "An index to encourage die-logues". today. Singapore. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
10. Yeo, Sow Nam. "Tribute to Prof Cynthia Goh". Singapore Medical Association. Retrieved 16 April 2022.