Palliative care at the forefront of healthcare revolution
We get an update of what transpired at the successful 2025 South African Palliative Care Conference.
Palliative care healthcare professionals across the country gathered in sunny Durban for the 2025 South African Palliative Care Conference, co-hosted by the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC), the AssociationĀ of Palliative Care Practitioners of South Africa (PALPRAC) and Palliative CareĀ for Children South Africa (PatchSA).
The biennial conference celebrated the themes of Revolution. Evolution. Solution highlighting the extraordinary efforts by the palliative careĀ community to increase access to high-quality palliative care in South Africa.Ā
With over 300 delegates joining each day to attend the conference proceedings, the conference highlighted the important work being done to improve the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses and their families.Ā
The conference was opened by Dr Busisiwe Ndlovu from the National Department of Health who supported the Palliative Care Policy and appointment of a lead person in the department.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care is specialised medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. It aims to improve the quality of life for both patient and family, regardless of the stage of the illness, and can be provided alongside curative treatments.
A showcasing ofĀ compassionate communities
Invited guest speaker from Kerala, India, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centres (WHOCC), Dr Suresh Kumar, showcased the value of havingĀ a community take ownership through compassion in caring for those with serious illnesses in the community.Ā
He said community participationĀ can bring people solace and act asĀ a powerful medium for learning and empowerment.
A comprehensive reflectionĀ on ubuntu in palliative care
Nokulinda Mkhize said, āSociety must make abuntu of us, so that (we) can accord dignity, empathy, compassion. and generosity to others.āĀ
Palliative care must aim to bridgeĀ the divide between patient and (healthcare) professional and the patient and person before them.
The Angel Paws Therapy DogsĀ
The organisation showcased their therapy dogs who together with their handlers spend time visiting frail care centres, hospitals, and nursing homes. The dogs provide a calming effect on patients. giving patients comfort and love during their time of need.
Exploring the farĀ reach of palliative careĀ
A panel discussion involving specialised doctors from both public and private hospitals expressed the need for palliative care outside of oncology patients. Specifically issuesĀ of patients with chronic kidney disease or those in ICU settings with poor outcomes need palliative care in a more formalised manner. The call for palliative care beyond cancer patients was made loud and clear.
Bonnie Sucklingās life lessonĀ
Bonnie spoke about being theĀ mother of a child who passed away from a terminal illness. She explained how she felt angry and scared and how some practitioners made her journey easier while others were more distant and made her feel even more lonely. She importantly reminded healthcare practitioners that families are oftenĀ not angry with the medical team but rather the painful situation they find themselves in when experiencing the upcoming loss of a family member.
The Durban DeclarationĀ of Palliative Care
The conference culminated in the signing of the Durban Declaration of Palliative Care which is a collaborative statement developed by PALPRAC, APCC, and PatchSA, reflecting the shared commitment to expanding access to quality palliative careĀ across South Africa.Ā
The declaration highlights
- Raise public awareness for palliative care.
- The urgent need for palliative care integration at all levels of healthcare.
- Priorities for education, access, innovation, and policy reform.
- A call to action for practitioners, partners, and policymakers alike.
CLICK HERE to learn about the declaration.
CLICK HERE to endorse the declaration.
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