Commemorating the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025 in Uganda.

Commemorating the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025 in Uganda.

On October 11, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, we commemorated World Hospice & Palliative Care Day 2025 in Uganda at Hospice Africa Uganda under the theme: “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care.” The event united partners, healthcare professionals, schools, and communities. Student performances from the Palliative Clubs at four schools. The clubs are part of PCAU’s Building Compassionate Communities to Improve Access to Palliative Care for ALL in Uganda.

The day was graced by Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, who reminded us: “If I don’t teach the heart, I’ll leave the hands.” Dr. Turyagyenda emphasized that expanding palliative care is not just a policy step but also an opportunity to nurture compassion among young people and communities.

PCAU remains committed to advancing policy, palliative care education, and community empowerment, ensuring that people living with life-threatening illnesses receive dignity, relief, and compassionate care. Every act of kindness brings us closer to a Uganda where no one faces serious illness in pain or isolation.

Dr. Charles Oralo, the Director General of Health Services, while speaking at the event, pledged that the Ministry of Health will expedite the National Palliative Care Strategy and the national palliative care standards. The event features an essay competition on compassionate communities, poems, songs, and plays from representatives of clubs in schools.