SINGAPORE – Say goodbye to the hassles of traditional advance care planning! A groundbreaking digital tool, myACP, was launched on July 19, empowering Singaporeans to effortlessly complete their advance care plans (ACP) online.

This innovative platform enables users to specify their medical treatment preferences based on personal goals and values, and even appoint a trusted advocate to make healthcare decisions if they become unable to do so themselves.

Introduced by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Agency for Integrated Care and GovTech at Heartbeat@Bedok, myACP is designed to make ACP accessible to all. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung emphasized that this tool removes the need for in-person consultations, traditionally a barrier for many.

Now, anyone aged 21 and above who is generally healthy can take just about 30 minutes to lay out their care preferences online, including important aspects like hygiene, companionship, and religious beliefs. They’ll also decide between comfort-focused care and life-sustaining treatments.

Previously, individuals needed to visit public hospitals, polyclinics, or social care providers – a process often fraught with complications and costs. According to Mr. Ong, while around 77,000 Singaporeans have completed their ACPs so far, this number, though 40% higher than last year, still reflects a need for greater participation.

Recognizing that many Singaporeans find discussions on end-of-life care taboo, Mr. Ong underscored the urgency of addressing this topic before it’s too late. “Conversations about future care need to start early to avoid difficult decisions for families and healthcare teams later on,