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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g 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.
- ^ a b c d e f "Cynthia Goh". Singapore Women's Hall of Fame. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ Yeo, Shu Hui (14 February 2022). "Palliative care pioneer Prof Cynthia Goh dies of pancreatic cancer". The New Paper. Singapore. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ Ng, Shing Yi (24 September 2003). "Hospices in a bind". today. Singapore. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ Tan, Hui Leng (19 March 2008). "Rethinking end-of-life care". today. Singapore. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ "Global palliative role". The Straits Times. Singapore. 27 May 2009.
- ^ Wee, Desmond (27 May 2009). "Palliative doctor takes on global role". The Straits Times. Singapore.
- ^ Krishna, Lalit. "In Memory of Prof Cynthia Goh (1949-2022): Whispers of a Mentor". Singapore Medical Association. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ Neo, Chai Chin (15 July 2010). "An index to encourage die-logues". today. Singapore. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
- ^ Yeo, Sow Nam. "Tribute to Prof Cynthia Goh". Singapore Medical Association. Retrieved 16 April 2022.