UHAS Champions National Palliative Care Agenda at 2025 Conference

The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), in collaboration with the Ghana Palliative Care Association (GPCA) and the Ministry of Health (MoH), hosted the National Palliative Care Conference 2025 under the theme “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care Strengthening Systems, Stories and Sustainability.” The one-day national conference, held on Monday, 28 October 2025, at the phase two campus of the University, brought together policymakers, researchers, health practitioners and advocates to deliberate on strategies for expanding equitable access to palliative care across Ghana.
The conference, chaired by Professor Peter Adatara, Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, underscored the University’s commitment to advancing research-based health education and promoting compassionate, patient-centred service delivery. In his opening address, Professor Adatara highlighted the vital role of academia in generating evidence and training professionals to deliver holistic care to patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Representing the Minister for Health, Dr Ernest Konadu Asiedu, Director for Medical and Dental Services at the Ministry of Health, commended the GPCA and its partners for what he described as a “visible turning point in Ghana’s health journey.” He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to integrating palliative care into the national health system, noting that it has already been incorporated into nine national health policies, including those addressing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health.

Solidarity messages were delivered by representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), Worldwide Hospice and Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA), International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC), International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) and the African Palliative Care Association (APCA). The session was coordinated by Mrs Winifred Nana Yaa Otoo, Executive Secretary of the GPCA.
A special address was also delivered by Monsignor Alexander Bobby Benson, Founder of Matthew 25 House, who shared an inspiring message on the moral and spiritual dimensions of caring for the terminally ill, emphasising compassion as a moral duty of healthcare delivery.

The conference featured several scientific and policy presentations from leading experts, including Dr Sulleh Gbande, Dr Andrew Dzebu, Professor Akyea Essuman, Dr Felix K. Nyande, Mrs Naomi Oye Oti, Dr Bisi Adewale and Mr Kofi Adu Gyamfi. The presentations explored diverse topics such as palliative care financing, integration of palliative care in nursing and medical curricula, management of NCDs and global frameworks for geriatric and end-of-life care. White Valley Care Limited also led a policy dialogue titled “The Caregiver’s Voice,” which centred on partnerships and advocacy for caregivers.
Participants engaged in robust discussions that focused on four key thematic areas, namely the integration and scale-up of palliative care across all levels of the health system, the establishment of sustainable financing mechanisms, the development of a well-trained healthcare workforce and the expansion of equitable access to palliative care in rural and underserved communities. These discussions highlighted the urgent need for coordinated national strategies to ensure that every Ghanaian, regardless of location, has access to quality palliative care.

A major highlight of the conference was the announcement that Ghana has won the bid to host the African Palliative Care Association (APCA) Conference in 2028. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Ghana’s leadership in palliative care. Professor Adatara described the news as “not just a victory, but a mandate to lead,” calling on stakeholders to unite in making universal access to palliative care a national reality by 2028.

The conference concluded with a communiqué outlining key recommendations and an awards presentation recognising individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to palliative care in Ghana. Participants reaffirmed their shared vision of ensuring that no Ghanaian faces serious illness or end-of-life challenges alone.
The National Palliative Care Conference 2025 was jointly organised by the Ghana Palliative Care Association, University of Health and Allied Sciences and the Ministry of Health, with support from international partners. The event served as a national platform for research dissemination, policy dialogue and partnership building aimed at achieving universal access to palliative care and strengthening Ghana’s health system for the future.