Dear Colleagues, Partners, and Friends,
As I reflect on the recently concluded International African Palliative Care and Allied Services Conference—co-hosted by APCA and the Ministry of Health of Botswana in Gaborone, Botswana—I am overwhelmed with gratitude. This gathering was not only a landmark event, but also a profound celebration of APCA’s 20-year journey: a journey marked by resilience, collaboration, and unwavering dedication to the dignity and comfort of those in need of palliative and comprehensive chronic care.
To our policymakers, development partners, field experts, healthcare providers, researchers, patients, and caregivers—your voices, wisdom, and lived experiences shaped the heart of this conference and reminded us why our mission matters. To the Board of Governors and staff, former and current, thank you for standing with and for APCA through every high and low; your commitment and sacrifice made this milestone possible.
This celebration was more than a reflection on the past; it was a bold statement of hope for the future. Together, we looked back at two decades of progress, learning, and partnership while setting the stage for the next 20 years. With new leadership carrying the vision forward, APCA is poised to strengthen health systems, amplify voices, and expand evidence-based access to quality palliative care across Africa. The foundation we have built together is strong, and the path ahead is filled with promise because of your steadfast support and partnership.
In the spirit of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025—and aligned with this year’s theme, “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care”—I warmly invite you to download and read the 2025 African Palliative Care Atlas to explore country-by-country progress and insights. APCA Atlas of Palliative Care in Africa 2025 Download
On behalf of APCA, and in my capacity as Executive Director, I extend my deepest appreciation to each of you who made this journey possible. This conference reaffirmed that we are not just colleagues or partners, but a community bound by compassion and shared purpose. As we move into the next chapter of APCA’s story, may we continue to walk side by side—honoring the past, embracing the present, and building a future where no one in need of palliative care is left behind.
With gratitude and hope,
Emmanuel Luyirika
Outgoing Executive Director
African Palliative Care Association (APCA)
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