But this is not sustainable in the long-run, given the ageing population.

Said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan: 'We welcome the free service of charities for certain sectors of the population, but if you really want to grow this sector, you know that it cannot be free all around, then you need to raise a lot of money.

'So I think there is scope for paid palliative care and when it comes to that stage, the patients will say: 'Can I not use my Medisave?' So I'm preparing the ground for this growth.'

To encourage those who do not need in-patient hospice treatment to spend their last days in their own homes, the Health Ministry (MOH) is allowing the use of Medisave for home palliative care.

'Most patients who are terminally ill say they want to die at home, but in reality the majority do not...so what is missing is home palliative care,' said Mr Khaw at the sidelines of a dialogue session at Paya Lebar Kovan Community Centre on Sunday.

Dying a 'good death' came under the spotlight last year when he noted that 55 per cent of people who died here died in hospitals. He wants nursing homes to play a role in easing the pain of the dying, so hospitals can focus on treatment instead of palliative care.

Palliative medicine is about improving the quality of life for patients with terminal illnesses such as end-stage cancer and advanced organ failure.

It involves managing pain, relieving symptoms, nursing care, counselling and managing social, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and his relatives.

Read the full story in today's edition of The Straits Times.