Its president B. Sujatha said on Sunday that its 224-bed nursing home in Yishun was already full.

She disclosed the home's plans at a Chinese New Year celebration for its residents and beneficiaries. Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, MP for Sembawang GRC, was guest of honour at the event.

Ms Sujatha added that, besides starting up the new facility, the Mission had been seeking approval to move its day care centre, now sited within the home in Yishun Avenue 5, to the void deck of a nearby HDB block.

The move will create 14 more beds for the chronic sick in the home's existing premises, Ms Sujatha added.

Mr Khaw acknowledged that, as Singapore's population ages, the demand for places in nursing homes will go up and the locations of such homes should be carefully thought through.

The chief executive of the Sree Narayana Mission Singapore Benjie Ng noted that northern Singapore had few nursing homes, hence there was room for one there.

The Mission is in talks with the ministry both for its second facility to have around 200 beds and also to move its day care centre.

Mr Khaw, noting that Sembawang GRC had older residents in Marsiling and younger ones in Admiralty, said that it was important for nursing homes to be near residential areas so that families can visit their loved ones.

He gave out hongbao to the Mission's residents and food hampers to the needy.