This article is the Conference Summary Report created by the Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association and republished with their permission
Background and Overview
The 7th National Palliative Care Conference 2026 convened over 330 delegates from Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and the United States. Co-hosted by the Kenya Ministry of Health (MoH) — through the Healthy Ageing, Palliative Care and Older Persons Division — and the Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA), the conference served as a transformative platform for advancing inclusive and compassionate palliative care in Kenya and the wider region.
Key Thematic Sessions
The conference featured a rich programme of workshops in Palliative Care (PC) and plenary sessions covering: Child Centred PC; Pain and Symptom management; Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in life limiting illnesses; The overlooked dimensions in PC including Mental health and Healthy Ageing in PC ; Improving the outcome of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through PC; Evidence based PC; research, Education and practice; financing mechanisms; and the development of compassionate communities. These sessions facilitated expert-led dialogue and cross-country learning among delegates.
Delegates also had the opportunity to present their work under six thematic conference tracks: Track 1 — Palliative Care Integration; Track 2 — Palliative Care Enablers and Equity: Building Sustainable Systems; Track 3 — Advancing Compassionate Care; Track 4 — Innovation and Creativity in Palliative Care; Track 5 — Paediatric Palliative Care; and Track 6 — Inclusive Reach: Elevating Overlooked Dimensions. These presentations showcased the breadth of work being undertaken across the region and generated robust peer exchange.
Key Launches
A key highlight of the conference was the Launch of the National Palliative Care Guidelines (2025 Edition): A landmark policy document providing a standardized technical roadmap for palliative care quality across all Kenya. The Guidelines operationalize the Hub and Spoke model — decentralizing care from referral hospitals to primary healthcare levels — and incorporates dimensions previously underrepresented in clinical practice, including paediatric palliative care, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, legal frameworks, rehabilitation, among others.
Launch of the National PC guidelines
The launch of the Palliative Care Nurses Association of Kenya (PANUSK) as well, was a key highlight. The association provides a unified voice for specialist palliative care nurses in Kenya, and to support their professional development and advocacy.
Dr. Andrew Toro opening the conference on behalf of the PS-medical services
Conference Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony was officiated by Dr. Andrew Toro, Head of Nursing and Curative Services, MoH, representing the Principal Secretary for Medical Services. Dr. Ouma Oluga. The ceremony underscored a critical national gap: while approximately 800,000 Kenyans require palliative care annually, only an estimated 29,016 (approximately 4%) are currently reached – affirming palliative care as a fundamental human right and a core pillar of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The keynote address was delivered by Ms. Angeline Siparo EBS, Commissioner, National Police Service Commission, who emphasized the need to mainstream palliative care across multisectoral settings, including the disciplined forces and state corporations, under the principle: “Where Care is Needed, Care Should be Provided.”
Dr. Stephen Connor, Executive Director of the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA), presented findings from the 3rd Edition of the Global Atlas of Palliative Care virtually, noting a rise in global palliative care needs from 60 million (2017) to 70 million (2025), and advocated for the development of compassionate communities. While Prof. Julia Downing, Executive Director of the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN), highlighted the critical need for collaboration in providing quality care for children with life-limiting conditions.
Dr. Timothy Olweny, Chairperson of the National Cancer Institute–Kenya (NCI-K), and NCI-K CEO Dr. Elias Melly emphasized the importance of broad stakeholder involvement, evidence-based programming, and strategic partnerships in scaling up palliative care. Dr. Rose Wafula, MoH Head of Healthy Ageing, Palliative Care and Older Persons, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to palliative care development, while KEHPCA Board Chairperson Dr. Asaph Kinyanjui acknowledged delegates’ contributions and KEHPCA’s enduring support for the sector.
The Human Element: Lived Experiences
A defining feature of the conference was the inclusion of persons with lived experience and their caregivers, who gave the proceedings a compelling human dimension. Their testimonies addressed the need to demystify misconceptions about palliative care. the importance of individualized care and the critical role of patient involvement in decision-making – affirming the centrality of dignity and quality of life in compassionate care delivery.
Gala Dinner and Stakeholder Recognition
The conference Gala Dinner, held at Shaza Beach Hotel, provided a valuable opportunity for stakeholder recognition, strategic networking, and delegate wellbeing. The evening afforded participants a moment of relaxation and camaraderie — a fitting acknowledgment of the dedication of those working at the forefront of palliative care in the region.
Conclusion
The 7th National Palliative Care Conference 2026 marked a significant milestone in Kenya’s palliative care journey. The conference reinforced the collective commitment to ensuring that all Kenyans; regardless of geography or circumstance can access comprehensive and compassionate palliative care. The outcomes of this conference lay a strong foundation for accelerated progress toward universal palliative care coverage.