SINGAPORE - Fourteen-year old Dean Joachim Asrin’s rare genetic disorder (Cri du chat syndrome) resulted in his intellectual disability, developmental delays, and poor muscle tone.

He needs specialised care and support for daily activities, such as feeding himself and moving around independently.

Unable to cope with Dean’s condition and two younger daughters, aged 12 and six, single father Mohd Asrin Ahmad, 51, sought help from Dean’s doctors.

The teen was placed with Cocoon, an inpatient facility for paediatric palliative care at Sengkang Community Hospital. There, for about four weeks, he will receive care from therapists and volunteers, along with comprehensive support for the entire family.

Cocoon, which houses Singapore’s only palliative paediatric facility at a community hospital, is a four-year pilot programme led by KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), to strengthen paediatric palliative care capabilities of all healthcare professionals, including general practitioners.

While it does not handle end of life care for children, it aims to enhance the quality of life for young patients with chronic, complex medical conditions, and for their families and caregivers.

Dr Cristelle Chow, a senior consultant from the General Paediatrics Service (Complex and Home Care Services) at KKH, said while adult palliative care focuses particularly on end-of-life care, paediatric palliative care looks out for the families, caregivers and children with life-limiting conditions such as cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, and various genetic disorders.