Authors: Alex Daniels, Dr. Fyeza Hasan, Dr. Huma Zafar Gondal, Dr. Shahzadi Resham.
As advocates for the ongoing development of paediatric palliative care in Pakistan, regionally, and globally, we were enthusiastic about participating in the recent PSPO Conference, held at the University of Child Health Sciences, The Children’s Hospital Lahore. The Children’s Hospital & The Institute of Child Health leads public sector training programmes across Pakistan and runs a 1,300-bed paediatric facility offering comprehensive specialty services, including oncology. Encouragingly, in line with the core theme of “Targeting Tomorrow: Collaborative Advances in Paediatric Haematology Oncology Care”, the conference visibly recognised paediatric palliative care as a core pillar of high-quality oncology care, embedding quality-of-life–focused care at the heart of paediatric oncology services in Pakistan. A pre-conference paediatric palliative care workshop was held, and talks in the main conference program addressed palliative and supportive care.
The conference brought together 300 health and social care professionals from across Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, united in their commitment to advancing treatment, improving outcomes, and elevating the quality of care for children with cancer. The presence of leaders from academic institutions, policymakers, and representatives of global health organizations – including the World Health Organization – highlighted a shared commitment to strengthening paediatric oncology services in the country through collaboration and capacity building.
The two-day scientific programme delivered comprehensive sessions on paediatric palliative care as well as the latest advances in the diagnosis and management of paediatric malignancies, including leukaemias, lymphomas, solid tumours, and central nervous system cancers. The agenda highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary care and evidence-based treatment protocols. Oral and poster presentations offered researchers and clinicians a valuable platform to showcase innovative work and emerging findings, fostering scholarly exchange and strengthening collaborative partnerships.
Pre-conference PPC workshop:
The pre-conference workshops on Neuro Oncology and Paediatric Palliative Care (PPC) provided invaluable opportunities for focused, skills-based learning. Currently, Dr. Huma and Dr. Resham, the only two PPC specialists in the country, spearheaded the PPC workshop entitled ‘Building Capacity for PPC in Pakistan’ in collaboration with invited speakers Dr. Fyeza Hasan from Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration and Ms. Alex Daniels from the International Children’s Palliative Care Network, both of whom have significant experience and a strong commitment to advancing paediatric palliative care development. The workshop focused on strengthening the foundation of PPC services, providing an overview of PPC principles, and emphasising its importance in improving the quality of life for children with life-limiting illnesses. In the context of limited specialised services nationally, the workshop emphasized the urgent need to expand capacity, formalise structured training pathways, and develop sustainable interdisciplinary PPC teams across institutions to ensure equitable and integrated care delivery throughout the country.
Participants assessed the current PPC landscape in Pakistan, identifying gaps and opportunities for growth. Lessons from Southeast Asian models provided practical insights for sustainable service development. Key discussions highlighted the need for stronger advocacy among policymakers, integration of PPC into healthcare systems, and enhanced local, national, and international collaboration.
The workshop also emphasized the urgent need for training and capacity building to establish PPC as a recognized subspecialty. Interactive role-play sessions on communication skills reinforced the clinical relevance of PPC in practice. Overall, the pre-conference workshop promoted a strategic, collaborative approach to advancing PPC in Pakistan.
Image from PPC Pre-Conference Workshop
The main conference:
The Inaugural Ceremony was honoured by the presence of Chief Guest, Health minister Mr. Khawaja Salman Rafique, whose address added distinction and value to the conference. The programme was further enriched by distinguished speakers, including Dr. Asim Belgaumi, Prof. Masood Sadiq, Prof. Tahir Masood Ahmed, Dr. Yahya Gulzar, Prof. Mahwish Faizan, and Prof. Agha Shabir Ali.
Insightful scientific sessions, engaging discussions, and meaningful knowledge exchange followed the Inauguration Ceremony. The enthusiasm, active participation, and collaborative spirit demonstrated throughout the first day established a strong foundation for the sessions that followed.
Day 2 began with thought-provoking talks by Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, Dr Asim Belgaumi, Dr. Muhammad Saghir Khan, and Dr. Alina Sadaf, who highlighted national, regional, and global perspectives on childhood cancer care. This was followed by an engaging panel discussion moderated by Dr. Mahwish Faizan, featuring esteemed panellists Dr. Asim Belgaumi, Prof. Masood Sadiq, Prof. Agha Shabbir Ali, Prof. Junaid Rashid, and Prof. Mary Taj.
Subsequent sessions provided valuable insights into benign haematology and transplantation, featuring expert presentations by Dr. Eileen McBride, Dr. Samina Afzal, and Dr. Shahbaz Latif Memon, complemented by impactful free paper presentations.
The conference concluded with informative talks from Dr. Aziza Shad, Dr. Raja Bicky Khan, Dr. Fyeza Hasan, and Alex Daniels, emphasizing survivorship, neurological complications, palliative care, and quality-of-life improvement. Free paper sessions further underscored patient-centred care, caregiver experiences, and the importance of global collaboration.
The day concluded with closing remarks and the announcement of Best Poster and Oral awards. “Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in Paediatric Bereavement Care: A Qualitative Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital In Pakistan” won the best poster award and “Exploring Children’s Experiences of Cancer Treatment in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A Framework for Enhancing Care; A Multi-Institutional Study from Pakistan” won the third oral award reflecting the increasing academic visibility of paediatric palliative care within the scientific community. The enthusiasm, academic rigor, and collaborative spirit witnessed on Day 2 truly reflected our shared commitment to improving outcomes for children with cancer.
PSPOCON 2026 reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to advancing palliative care as a key element of paediatric haematology and oncology care, through research, education, and partnerships. By fostering dialogue across disciplines and borders, the conference marked another significant step toward ensuring equitable, high-quality cancer care for every child in Pakistan.
Valuable strategic connections were forged during the tea and lunch breaks, where delegates engaged over delicious refreshments and meaningful conversation, creating numerous opportunities for networking and collaboration.
Congratulations to the organising committee for delivering a seamless and well-executed conference, and for fostering a warm, welcoming environment that inspired and motivated all in attendance.
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