The 16th Asia Pacific Hospice and Palliative Care Conference was held in Sarawak, also known as the Land of the Hornbills located on the Borneo Island on the 24-26th April 2025. The conference theme, “Embracing Diversity, Empowering Communities” was more than a tagline, but was the core in providing care, especially in the multicultural and diverse land of Sarawak, whose communities are spread across remote areas. As a member of the Local Organising Committee and Scientific Committee, reflecting on APHC 2025 fills me with gratitude to witness the collaborative effort united under a shared purpose.
As the State Palliative Care Physician, I carried the weight and responsibility of developing palliative care not only within hospitals but also across community settings. In my daily clinical work, it was clear that patients required seamless transitions between hospital and home, consistent access to palliative services, and essential medications—even in remote rural areas connected only by rivers and logging roads. To help bridge this gap, one effective approach was to host the conference in our own home base, ensuring healthcare professionals have the opportunity to be exposed, trained and inspired to champion palliative care on a wider platform. This initiative was strongly supported and driven by a dedicated team of like-minded colleagues, under the leadership of Dr. Ngian Hie Ung, Director of Sarawak General Hospital.
Moments of Learning, Collaboration and Shared Vision
Serving on the scientific committee was, for me, as much a learning experience as it was an opportunity to contribute. I embraced the challenge of working across different time zones alongside my colleagues to curate sessions that spoke of the diversity of the region yet highlight the shared experience of humanity. The program showcases advance care planning, cultural diversity, humanitarian crisis and compassionate communities, to name a few. I discovered how much I could grow through working alongside others—learning to collaborate and to work through differences with openness and respect. The process stretched my thinking and showed me the strength that comes from diversity with a common vision.
The Legacy Sarawak Carry Forward
The conference kickstart with the launch of the APHN Atlas of Palliative Care in the Asia Pacific Regions, a tool developed under WHO indicators and led by the ATLANTES Research Group during the opening ceremony, amidst a rich cultural performance, highlighting the traditional dances and music of the communities in Sarawak. This Atlas is timely to inform advocates, policymakers and healthcare professionals like myself to understand the existing service and gaps to ensure a systematic approach to develop palliative care services.
The conference was also an opportunity for the palliative care community to collectively voice our concerns by the shift in global events on humanitarian crisis. The Sarawak Statement from The International Palliative Care Community on Humanitarian Crisis, published on the APHN website (https://aphn.org/sarawak-statement-from-the-international-palliative-care-community-on-humanitarian-crises/), speaks of the profound impact on communities, colleagues and healthcare systems from human-made causes of suffering. This statement upheld the ethos of palliative care to relieve suffering and restoration of life and dignity.
In addition, hosting APHC offered a unique opportunity for the state to express its commitment to the development of Palliative Care in Sarawak with the launch of the Sarawak Task Force Committee for Palliative Care. The Task Force, led by the State Health Director, Dr Veronica Lugah with health care professionals from diverse background aims to coordinate, strengthen and evaluate palliative care services in the state. The committee will provide strategic direction, facilitate stakeholder collaboration and advocate for policies to improve access to palliative care.
Expect the Unexpected
As the conference was unfolding, few speakers was unable to attend physically due to unexpected turn of events. In the midst of uncertainty, I learned how important to stay calm and flexible. Plans that had been carefully laid out had to be reshuffled within days and what struck me was how the team came together to adapt quickly. When I thought all was over after the conference, one of the speakers suddenly became unwell, needing to be sent to the hospital and later rushed to catch an international flight. What could have been a moment of chaos turned into camaraderie. It was a humbling reminder that unexpected events and change is the only constant and that resilience shows up in the most unplanned circumstances.
Summary of reflection
As APHC draws to a close, what stays with me most are the meaningful exchanges, heartfelt conversations, and bonds forged through our shared purpose of serving patients and their families. I feel humbled and inspired by the dedication of each person working tirelessly in their own regions to develop and strengthen palliative care. For me, the true success of the conference lies not only in its immediate outcomes, but in the lasting development and impact it will continue to carry forward.
Hosting this conference also shifted my own perspective. It taught me that palliative care is not only about individual effort but about collective strength, vision, and collaboration across borders. I came to see more clearly how much can be achieved when diverse voices come together, and how leadership is as much about creating space for others as it is about contributing personally. This experience has deepened my commitment and broadened my view of what it means to advance palliative care—locally, regionally, and globally.
Written by Dr Sharon Choo Yoke Ling
Palliative Medicine Physician
Department of Radiotherapy, Oncology and Palliative Care
Sarawak General Hospital