On World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025, Timor-Leste proudly held its first national celebration to raise awareness about the importance of palliative care for patients and families facing life-limiting illness.
The event was held at the National Hospital Guido Valadares in Dili (HNGV), with representatives from the Ministry of Health (MoH), the World Health Organization (WHO), hospital directors, the APHN team, hospital staff, doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, NGOs, and others in attendance.
This year’s theme was “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care,” calling for compassionate care to be recognized as an essential part of health services.
The simple yet meaningful celebration included a seminar and sharing session. Speakers presented the national plan and vision for developing hospice and palliative care in Timor-Leste, emphasizing that palliative care is not just for the end of life but is a holistic approach that improves quality of life at any stage of serious illness. Pain relief, they noted, is a human right.
A representative from the Ministry of Health acknowledged the importance of integrating palliative care into all levels of the health system: “This is only the beginning. Today, we recognize the need for coordinated efforts, policy support, and capacity building to ensure that palliative care becomes accessible to all who need it in Timor-Leste.”
The WHO representative also commended Timor-Leste for taking a vital step toward more equitable, compassionate healthcare, aligning with global health goals: “Palliative care is a cornerstone of Universal Health Coverage. We are proud to support Timor-Leste in this journey.”
As Timor-Leste continues to build and strengthen its healthcare system, the celebration of its first World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is a powerful reminder of the need to put compassion at the heart of care. The event concluded with a collective call to action: train more health workers, increase access to essential medications such as morphine, and develop community-based models of care that reflect Timorese values of family and dignity.
Written by Dr Mingota Herculano, Guido Valadares National Hospital