Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network

12/01/2026

This wide ranging interview with Hospice NZ CEO Wayne Naylor and Maryanne Spurdle from the Maxim Institute covers why the hospice movement matters, the challenges it faces, and what would improve Kiwis' end-of-life care.

Wayne explains how hospices care for people in their own homes and community - keeping people out of hospitals; how the funding model leaves all providers still fundraising for core services; and why New Zealand’s international palliative care ranking has steadily declined. He also discusses how attitudes toward death in health care shape the system’s priorities, and why the future could look brighter with new models of care and funding in the pipeline. Thank you to maxim.org.nz.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-palliative-care-matters-a-conversation-with/id1479360000?i=1000741563226

12/01/2026

📢 Only 1 week left! Our first 2026 Webinar Series session on Therapeutic Communication is happening soon.

🗓 19 January 2026
🕝 2:30–3:30 pm (SGT)
💻 Live on Zoom | Interactive Q&A

We’re honoured to welcome Prof CHOW Y.M. Amy from the University of Hong Kong.

Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your communication skills in palliative care.

🔗 Secure your spot:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_a21TzaiQlaAa5512dKyrw

11/01/2026

Nurses are essential to community-based palliative care — providing symptom support, education, emotional care, and continuity for patients and families. Yet despite their critical role, their contributions often go unseen and under-recognised within health systems. This insightful article explores how frontline nurses quietly carry care into homes and communities, and why making their work more visible matters for policy, support and professional development.

Read the full article here 👇

Ms. Anu Savio Thelly, Abu Dhabi   This article was originally published on IAPC's website and in the January 2026 edition of IAPC's newsletter. &n

10/01/2026

India’s palliative care services have expanded under the national programme to cover hundreds of districts, but experts warn that many people still lack real access to quality care. While policies and coverage figures are improving, the rollout has been uneven — with stark gaps between regions and limited reach especially in rural and underserved areas. Less than 4% of the millions who need palliative care are currently receiving it, and many still face long travel times, inadequate pain relief and shortages of trained providers.

Read more 👇

Audit findings from CAG point to systemic gaps in public healthcare delivery that cast doubt on the reliability of aggregate service data.

07/01/2026

"The suitcase was never just a suitcase. It was love, wrapped in the shape of a box with a handle." 🧳❤️

In the quiet moments of a paediatric ward, a simple request for a suitcase revealed the vastness of a child’s heart. Thinking not of his own pain, but of the physical burdens his parents carried, a young boy’s final wish became a powerful symbol of selfless love.

Read this beautiful story here👇

  Author Name: Eric Prince, Psycho-Oncologist – Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation.   One evening, as the ward ligh

06/01/2026

As Malaysia’s population ages and more people live with chronic and serious illnesses, the demand for palliative and hospice care is rising rapidly. Experts are urging strengthened healthcare workforce capacity and resources to meet this growing need and ensure compassionate, quality care for patients and families at all stages of life.

From increasing training for health professionals to expanding access to services in rural and urban areas, there’s a clear call for action to build stronger palliative care systems that truly serve the needs of the community.

Read more 👇

PETALING JAYA: With the population getting older and living well into advanced ages, the pressure to improve palliative and hospice care is piling by the day.

05/01/2026

📣 Just 2 weeks to go!

We’re kicking off our 2026 Webinar Series with a session on Therapeutic Communication — a vital skill at the heart of quality palliative care.

🗓 19 January 2026 (Monday)
🕝 2:30–3:30 pm SGT
💻 Live on Zoom | 1-hour session + Q&A

🎤 Speaker: Prof CHOW Y.M. Amy, University of Hong Kong

Join us to explore how thoughtful communication can support patients, families, and care teams.

🔗 Register now:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_a21TzaiQlaAa5512dKyrw

04/01/2026

⏰ DEADLINE EXTENDED – FINAL REMINDER! 📣

The submission deadline to bid for hosting the 18th Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Conference (APHC) 2029 has been extended to 28 February 2026, 11:59 PM (SGT).

This is a unique opportunity for APHN member organisations to bring the region’s flagship palliative care conference to your country and showcase your local leadership, partnerships, and impact.

📄 Be sure to download the updated bidding documents and submit your completed application to the Secretariat Office before the deadline.

👇 View details and download bid forms here:

The Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) Council warmly invites member organisations wishing to host the 18th Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Conference 2029 to send in their application. […]

03/01/2026

Join an upcoming workshop on Clinical Ethics in Palliative Care 2026 hosted by Hospis Malaysia ! This workshop explores a wide range of ethical issues in palliative care, primarily through in-depth case discussions.

Date: 10–11 January 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue: Hospis Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

🔗For more details and to register, please visit: https://hospismalaysia.org/clinical-ethics-in-palliativecare-2026/

02/01/2026

Caregiving is one of the most loving — and often toughest — roles a person can take on. This thoughtful article from the Singapore Hospice Council follows the story of a caregiver juggling work, family and the care of two loved ones, and calls for a shift in how we see and support caregivers. It highlights the emotional and practical challenges caregivers face — from daily care tasks to anticipatory grief — and reminds us that caregivers are not just helpers, but care partners who need compassion, resources and resilience too.

Read the full story 👇

Through the experience of a caregiver who had to take care of both her parents while raising four children, a social worker who continues to upskill and a researcher looking to change the perspective…

01/01/2026

🎉 Happy New Year 2026 from APHN! 🎉

As we welcome 2026, we celebrate the incredible dedication, collaboration, and achievements of our members, partners, and supporters across the Asia-Pacific region.

2025 was a year of growth — from strengthening psychosocial care and training healthcare professionals, to connecting at conferences and webinars across the region. Together, we’ve advanced palliative care, shared knowledge, and built stronger networks of support for patients and families.

Here’s to a new year filled with compassion, collaboration, and meaningful impact. We look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2026!