The Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) was honoured to participate in the Oceanic Palliative Care Conference (OPCC) 2025, underscoring its commitment to advancing palliative care across the Asia–Pacific region. APHN maintained a presence at the conference through its booth, which served as both an engagement hub and an information point for the upcoming Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Conference (APHC) 2027 in Adelaide. The booth welcomed members past and present, encouraged new sign-ups, and provided a unique opportunity to reconnect with former faculty volunteers who had contributed to APHN’s regional teaching and capacity-building programmes.
Associate Professor Ghauri Aggarwal, Chair of APHN, delivered a plenary presentation on APHN’s work and the flagship Lien Collaborative Program. She highlighted how the initiative continues to build sustainable palliative care capacity through partnerships with ministries of health, local champions, and teaching hospitals across low- and middle-income countries. Her presentation reinforced the vital role of cross-border collaboration in ensuring that quality palliative care becomes accessible to patients and families throughout the region. The session highlights include a plenary discussion on APHN and Lien Collaborative initiatives in Oceania that include Dr Dipti Mittal (APHN Pacific-Island SIG Chair), Mr Wayne Naylor (APHN Board member), Ms Evelyn Anisi (Nurse, MOH Solomon Island) and Ms Kate Reed (Canberra Health Services).
In a significant step towards future collaboration, OPCC and APHN jointly announced their partnership for APHC 2027. This collaboration not only symbolises the strengthening of ties between Oceania and Asia but also marks the commencement of the first joint working committee tasked with aligning strategies, sharing expertise, and shaping the vision for APHC 2027. The committee’s early work will ensure that the 2027 conference continues the momentum of OPCC, providing an innovative and collaborative platform for clinicians, educators, researchers, and policymakers across the region.
APHN’s active engagement at OPCC 2025 reflects its enduring mission: to unite palliative care services across Asia Pacific, nurture regional leadership, and create sustainable pathways for education, research, and compassionate service delivery.
We looked forward to seeing everyone in Adelaide – Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Conference 2027!
Written by Mr Giam Cheong Leong (APHN Executive Director )