Journey of a Lone Palliative Physician in Bhutan
January 2019, during the 2nd Module of Palliative Care Training, standing behind Prof. Cynthia, I found hope for my father who had just been diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer.
In Just One Decade: Bhutan’s path from no palliative care to a national policy
Bhutan had no palliative care until 2016, when two nurse-lecturers trained in Kerala, India, and returned to advocate for its development. Awareness grew through a 2017 workshop in Thimphu, and in 2018, JDWNRH launched the country’s first home-based palliative care service for patients with advanced cancer.
Building Palliative Care from the Ground Up in Timor-Leste
Family members and palliative care providers visiting a patient at home in Timor-Leste, where care is deeply rooted in community and kinship.
Enhancing Palliative Care in Philippines through APHN-liencollab Training Program
The APHN-Lien Collaborative Palliative Care Training in Manila (September 25–28, 2024) marked a significant step in strengthening palliative care in the Philippines. Bringing together 200 healthcare professionals and advocates, the program fostered collaboration between international faculty and local experts, advancing both specialist and foundational training.
Learning and Perspectives on Palliative Care in Bhutan
As a faculty member of the Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care Program, Dr Hideyuki Kashiwagi(Faculty Member, Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care Bhutan) participated in Module 4 of the Bhutan training, gaining valuable insights as a palliative care specialist and highlighting three key takeaways from the experience.
Reflections on Bhutan Module 4 by Sayaka Takenouchi
The Bhutan Module 4 Palliative Care Training was a transformative five-day program in Thimphu, bringing together 31 healthcare professionals and faculty from Singapore, India, and Japan. Serving as a faculty member from Japan, I was deeply inspired by the participants’ and colleagues’ sincerity, compassionate dedication, and supportive collaboration.
Collaborative Efforts to Enhance Palliative Care in Nepal
The Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN), invited by the Nepalese Association of Palliative Care (NAPCARE), has established a new collaboration with Nepal’s Ministry of Health to launch the Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care program. This initiative will train master trainers and expand palliative care services nationwide, marking a significant step toward improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.
Palliative Care Training of Trainers Workshop for Healthcare Professionals in Bhutan
A team from the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) in collaboration with the Home Palliative Care unit at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) successfully completed a 5-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop on palliative care in Thimphu from 6-10 May 2024.
Reflections from CTC 6 Foundation Course
At the 6th Cancer Treatment Centre (CTC) Foundation Course, participants embarked on a transformative journey guided by the luminaries of palliative care. Through engaging sessions and collaborative learning, attendees delved into the intricacies of pain management, communication skills, leadership and ethical dilemmas.
Faculty Reflection: APHN-liencollab Training in Sarawak
I was first involved in the APHN-Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care in Sarawak, as part of the APHN Team on a scoping visit to Kuching, in August 2022.