Freelance photographer Alan Lee, 69, who has an exhibition of photos showcasing the everyday lives of his fellow patients at Assisi Hospice, meeting President Halimah Yacob yesterday when she visited the facility in Thomson Road.

In a Facebook post, Madam Halimah shared photos taken with Mr Lee, who has end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other patients, staff and volunteers.

She wrote: "Mr Alan Lee, who has been a photojournalist all his life, shared with me that he must always have (a) camera with him. He has taken a series of beautiful photos documenting the everyday happenings at the hospice. Once a photographer, always a photographer!"

She added that she was touched by the compassion of the staff and volunteers, who provide personalised palliative care for the patients and their families.

End-of-life care support and services are an important part of Singapore's healthcare system as the population ages, she noted.

"As the famous saying goes, 'we cannot add days to life, but we can add life to our days'. End-of-life care is about living the last days of our lives with dignity."