I am deeply grateful and humbled to have been selected for the Cynthia Goh Palliative Care Fellowship Cohort 2. This opportunity guided by experienced mentors has been a profound blessing for me as a Timorese clinician beginning my journey in palliative care and leadership. The fellowship combined coaching workshops, conference learning, and clinical attachment for home visits, which together expanded my clinical skills, leadership thinking, and understanding of compassionate, family-centred care.
Beginning with the Leading for Good workshop held on 16-17 April, I participated in two days of transformational personal coaching that introduced tools such as the Emotional Wheel and the SHINE framework. I learned the importance of purpose-driven leadership through the Golden Circle (Why–How–What), and I had the opportunity to practice decision-making frameworks for responsible leadership.
Another important part of the fellowship was understanding palliative care needs through purpose exercises, including both micro- and macro-level analysis. We also worked on identifying a collective impact project for the next two years, including developing problem statements and applying the Theory of Change.
Following this, I attended a two-day 9th Singapore Palliative Care Conference 2026 and the APHN Annual General Meeting, which covered a wide range of relevant topics. It also gave me the opportunity to connect with regional palliative care professionals and gain exposure to policy and programme discussions.
One of the highlights of the fellowship was participation in several clinical attachments and site visits, which provided valuable exposure to different models of palliative care practice.
- Dover Park and HCA Hospice visits – I observed hospice systems and interdisciplinary teamwork in practice.
- Paediatric care at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital – I attended lectures on acute and chronic paediatric pain, multimodal analgesia, and challenging cases in paediatric oncology.
- Home hospice care (adult) with Dr Adrian’s team at HCA – I joined two days of home visits and saw diverse cases, including patients with chronic pain, dementia, psychological problems, and advanced cancer. It was particularly meaningful to witness a new admission where the team carefully explained care to the family, including advance care planning (ACP).
- Paediatric palliative care visits with Nurse Yan Nee – I met four paediatric cases, including an 18-month-old infant. I noticed strong family support activities that allowed parents to share experiences and find communal support. I also observed interprofessional discussions used to coordinate weekend care for a new patient.
My attachment concluded with a visit to a Day Care Centre guided by Nurse Sherene, where I observed various therapeutic activities and personalised care approaches.
Personal Reflection: Redefining Quality of Life
While the coaching and conferences were very valuable, it was the home visits that had the most profound impact on me. I had long struggled with the question: “What is the meaning of quality of life for a patient who is entirely dependent on others and facing prolonged suffering?”
I found my answer during a visit to a 22-year-old patient with a congenital degenerative disease. Despite the long and difficult journey, his mother spoke about him with radiant happiness. She shared how his smiles and laughter brought her joy.
In that moment, I realised that quality of life is not something I can define for a patient. Instead, it is reflected in the meaning and value experienced by the family, and in how they see their loved one. This experience has stayed with me and continues to shape my perspective as I begin my journey as a palliative care provider and leader.
It is my sincere hope that the Government of Timor-Leste and the Ministry of Health will continue to support the integration of palliative care into our national health system, so that we can provide high-quality, compassionate, and accessible care to every citizen in need.
Written by Dr Mingota da Costa Herculano
Mingota da Costa Herculano is an Anaesthetist and Intensivist at Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares, Timor-Leste. She is also a Fellow from Batch 2 of the Cynthia Goh Palliative Care Fellowship (CGF). The CGF is administered by the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) with support and direction from Lien Foundation.
