As 2024 comes to an end, we look back with gratitude and pride at a year filled with meaningful progress and impactful initiatives. Together, we’ve made significant strides in advancing palliative care across the Asia Pacific region. Here’s a glimpse of what we’ve accomplished this year:
11 capacity-building trips to 8 different regions and more than 200 individuals trained
Each year, the Lien Collaborative program expands its reach, building palliative care capacity across the Asia Pacific region. In 2024, we conducted 11 trips to 8 regions: Bhutan, India, Laos, Nepal, the Philippines, Sarawak, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste.
For established programs in India, Sarawak, and Timor-Leste, our visits focused on overseeing and facilitating ongoing training modules, ensuring continuity and sustained progress.
India
We successfully completed the 6th run of the Cancer Training Center (CTC) program in 2024. The initiative began in March with the Foundation Course, where participants were introduced to core concepts. Following this, each team was assigned a mentor to guide their service development and provided a week of clinical attachment with institutions led by Dr Sushma Bhatnagar or Dr Naveen Salins. The program concluded with the Refresher Course in October, after which an audit was conducted to evaluate progress and outcomes. This structured approach ensures sustained development and impact in palliative care services.
Sarawak
The APHN-Lien Collaborative has successfully trained 44 healthcare workers from domiciliary clinics and hospitals in Sarawak. This accomplishment was made possible with the incredible support of the Vice Premier Sarawak, YB Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, and our dedicated Volunteer Faculty from APHN. In just 18 months, we have grown from having one full-time palliative care specialist in 2023 to empowering 44 trained healthcare professionals!
Timor Leste
The Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care team returned to Timor Leste twice in 2024. During the first trip, our faculty visited district hospitals to assess local needs, ensuring a thorough understanding of the landscape to enhance and refine our training program. In the following trip, we completed the third of six training modules in Timor-Leste, marking the program’s halfway point with the continued participation of 21 dedicated healthcare professionals from across the country. Notably, Hospital Lahane was announced as the first of three palliative care centers to be launched, reflecting the Ministry of Health’s commitment to improving care and the program’s growing impact.
Bhutan
In 2024, APHN made two key trips to Bhutan, advancing palliative care through the Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care. A 5-day Training of Trainers workshop in May engaged 31 healthcare professionals in core palliative care principles, while an October visit included discussions with Her Royal Highness Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuck, Patron of the initiative. Bhutan’s palliative homecare team has grown from one nurse in 2018 to six nurses and a doctor, Dr Kinley Bhuti, who trained in Singapore, reflecting significant progress in nationwide palliative care development.
Nepal
In August, we visited Nepal at the invitation of the Nepalese Association of Palliative Care (NAPCARE) to explore collaborations in palliative care training. The visit resulted in an agreement with Dr Roshan Pokhrel, Secretary of Health, to launch the Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care program, focusing on training master trainers and expanding services nationwide. APHN extends gratitude to the Ministry of Health, NAPCARE, and local and international faculty for their support. This collaboration marks a key step in strengthening palliative care in Nepal and improving the lives of patients with serious illnesses.
Philippines
In September 2024, APHN partnered with local organisations in the Philippines to deliver the APHN-Lien Collaborative Palliative Care Training and support the National Palliative and Hospice Care Summit. Held in Manila, the training included two tracks: a Master Training program for 50 participants, including palliative medicine specialists and advocates, and foundational sessions for 150 healthcare professionals. Led by APHN faculty and local experts, the training covered key areas for strengthening palliative care. Integrated with the summit, co-hosted by Philippine healthcare organizations, the event attracted over 200 attendees for discussions on advancing palliative care nationwide.
Sri Lanka
In 2024, APHN strengthened its partnership with Sri Lanka through a March visit to advance palliative care. Since 2014, the Lien Collaborative program has trained over 100 participants across 50 institutions, leading to key milestones like oral morphine access, palliative care diplomas, and a national strategic framework. During the visit, APHN met with the Ministry of Health and National Cancer Control Programme to review progress, address challenges, and plan Phase 2 training. Highlights included discussions on nurse training and capacity building, sessions on advanced communication skills, and a visit to Suwa Arana, Sri Lanka’s first Pediatric Palliative Care Centre.
Laos
The Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) Lien Collaborative, in partnership with the Karunruk Palliative Care Center (KPC) and the Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation (DHR) of the Ministry of Public Health, Lao PDR, has spearheaded efforts to develop palliative care services in the country. This initiative, which commenced in October 2022 and is set to run until September 2025, aims to build palliative care capacity and improve access to essential services for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
The project initially focused on major hospitals and the national cancer center in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. The second-year plan aims to extend palliative care knowledge and services nationwide. The first workshop of this year on symptom management was held at Setthathirath Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR, from June 10-11, 2024, conducted by Dr. Srivieng Pairojkul, Dr. Attakorn Raksasataya, and Ms. Natchaya Baulakorn from KPC.
China Psychosocial Capacity Building Program: A Transformative Initiative for Palliative Care
The China Psychosocial Capacity Building Program, spearheaded by the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) in collaboration with local partner Sereniturn, has set a milestone in enhancing psychosocial care capabilities among healthcare professionals in China. Running from October 2023 to May 2024, this program equipped 15 participants, including social workers, psychologists, and physicians, with essential skills to address the psychological and social dimensions of advanced illnesses. Read more
9 webinars with more than 1900 participants
In 2024, our educational initiatives continued to thrive through a variety of engaging sessions:
Quarterly Webinar Series
This year, we hosted four impactful webinars covering a range of topics:
- Spiritual Care in Palliative Care
- Teaching Leaders and Adult Learners Effectively about Palliative Care: Methods, Tools, and Tactics
- Compassionate Communities
- Nursing in Palliative Care
Palliative Care for Children: Learning & Fellowship Forum
Our forum on paediatric palliative care featured four enriching sessions:
- Meeting our Global Paediatric Palliative Care Family
- Integrating Palliative and Intensive Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Weaving Indigenous Ways of Knowing into Paediatric Palliative Care
- Navigating Paediatric Palliative Care: Insights from Southern China
Primary Palliative Care Special Interest Group
The group conducted a focused session on Primary Palliative Care Research – Identifying Gaps and Approaching Research in Communities.
We look forward to exploring even more engaging and thought-provoking topics in 2025 to continue inspiring and empowering the palliative care community!
24th Council formed with 15 members
We were deeply honored to be invited by the Japanese Society for Palliative Medicine (JSPM) to hold our 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) during its inaugural 29th Congress in Japan. The AGM, held at the Kobe International Conference Center, brought together members of the 23rd Council and prospective new council members in a meaningful gathering.
This year, we proudly welcome the 24th Council, a dynamic team of 15 leaders representing diverse backgrounds and expertise from across the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.
1 Charity Transparency Award received
On 14 November 2024, we were honored with the prestigious Charity Transparency Award from the Charity Council—for the second year in a row! This recognition underscores our unwavering commitment to accountability and excellence. Read more
As we look ahead to 2025, we remain committed to advancing palliative care across the Asia Pacific. This past year highlighted the power of collaboration, with initiatives in training, education, and advocacy bringing us closer to ensuring compassionate care for all. In the coming year, we aim to deepen connections, expand our reach, and address evolving needs, building on the momentum of 2024. With the support of our members, faculty, and partners, we look forward to achieving new milestones together. Thank you for being part of this journey.