October 13-14, 2025 | Setthathirath Hospital, Vientiane
A Milestone Moment for Palliative Care
Healthcare professionals from across Laos gathered at Setthathirath Hospital this week for a groundbreaking workshop on establishing palliative care units in hospitals. The two-day event, organized by the Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) and Karunruk Palliative Care Center, marks an exciting new chapter in the country’s palliative care journey.
The workshop coincided with World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025, embracing this year’s global theme: “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care.”
Three Years of Progress, Ready for the Next Step
Dr. Khamsay Dethleuxay, Director General of the Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Health, opened the workshop with inspiring remarks about how far Laos has come in developing palliative care services.
“After three years of comprehensive multi-level palliative care training led by Dr. Srivieng Pairojkul and Dr. Attakorn Raksasataya from Karunruk Palliative Care Center, we have built a strong foundation,” Dr. Khamsay shared. “Today, we have trained doctors and nurses in nearly every major hospital in Vientiane and all provincial hospitals.”
He emphasized that the growing need for palliative care in Laos requires more than trained individuals—it requires coordinated systems. “Now is the time to establish dedicated palliative care units in each hospital to coordinate patient care in their areas. Our providers must demonstrate clear results and outcomes to gain recognition from hospital directors, healthcare providers, and government leaders.”
Healthcare Professionals Unite from Across the Nation
The workshop brought together an impressive 72 healthcare professionals, representing a true multidisciplinary approach to palliative care:
- 39 physicians
- 27 nurses
- 6 pharmacists
Nationwide Representation
Participants traveled from across the country, ensuring comprehensive coverage:
Vientiane Capital: 28 participants from eight facilities, including 103 Hospital, Cancer Center, Children Hospital, Mahosot Hospital, Mittaphab Hospital, Mother and Newborn Hospital, Setthathirath Hospital, Vientiane Hospital, and academic institutions (Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Nursing).
Provincial Hospitals: 44 participants representing 16 provinces—Attapeu, Bokeo, Champasak, Khammouane, Loungnamtha, Loungphrabang, Oudomxay, Phongsaly, Salavan, Savannakhet, Sayabouly, Sekong, Xaysomboun, and Xiengkhouang.
This diverse group received intermediate palliative training and ensured that the knowledge and strategies developed during the workshop would reach communities throughout Laos.
What Participants Learned
Expert facilitators from Karunruk Palliative Care Center—Associate Professor Srivieng Pairojkul, Dr. Attakorn Raksasataya, and Ms. Natchaya Bualakorn—guided participants through a comprehensive workshop to equip them with practical tools for establishing and running palliative care units.
Day 1 Highlights:
- Understanding the scope of palliative care practice
- Building effective teams and choosing service delivery models
- Mastering screening and referral processes
- Hands-on practice with palliative assessment tools
- Developing individualized care plans
- Ensuring continuity of care
Day 2 Highlights:
- Discharge planning and referral systems with practical exercises
- Providing care at the end of life—both in hospitals and at home
- Strategic approaches to setting up palliative care services in individual hospitals
- Participant presentations: Sharing hospital palliative care programs and learning from each other’s experiences
Looking Ahead: From Training to Implementation
This workshop represents more than just another training event. it’s a pivotal transition from building capacity to implementing sustainable palliative care services across the country. By establishing dedicated palliative care units in hospitals nationwide, Laos is creating the infrastructure needed to:
- Coordinate comprehensive patient care
- Improve outcomes for patients and families
- Demonstrate the value of palliative care to hospital leadership
- Build government support for continued expansion
A Shared Vision
The Department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation, together with APHN and Karunruk Palliative Care Center, remains committed to supporting participating hospitals as they implement their new palliative care units. Together, we’re working toward a future where every person in Laos has access to quality palliative care when they need it most.
The promise of universal access to palliative care is within reach—and this workshop is helping to make it happen.
Written by Dr Attakorn Rakasasataya
