The Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU) participated in the 15th African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC 2025) Conference held from November 2–5, 2025 in Hammamet, Tunisia. Convened under the theme “Advancing Cancer Care across Africa: Equity through Empowering Research and Education,” the conference brought together over 1,000 participants from across Africa and the world to share scientific insights, strengthen partnerships, and explore innovations that can advance cancer care on the continent.

PCAU contributed to the scientific programme through an oral presentation delivered alongside grantees from Ghana and Ethiopia, sharing experiences from the Global Health Provider Support Initiative supported by the American Cancer Society (ACS). The presentation highlighted strategies such as leadership engagement, in-person training, poster and banner exhibits, one-on-one interactions, and virtual learning through the ECHO platform—approaches that have helped enhance learning and cancer care standards in multiple countries.

In addition to the oral presentation, PCAU also participated in a poster presentation focusing on strengthening palliative care capacity in Africa. The poster showcased findings from ACS’s Treat the Pain E-Learning Pilot, an online training programme implemented across 75 hospitals in Ethiopia, Uganda, Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, and Eswatini. The pilot demonstrated notable improvements in patient outcomes, with significant reductions in average pain scores in participating hospitals—underscoring the effectiveness of comprehensive, accessible pain management training for front-line healthcare workers.

The conference further provided valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration. PCAU engaged with experts from diverse countries and organizations, fostering discussions on shared learning, future partnerships, and support for advancing palliative care and cancer control in Uganda and across the region.