Cynthia Goh

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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.

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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]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "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.
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