In response to the increasing challenges faced in humanitarian, fragile, and conflict-affected regions globally, the need for high-quality pediatric palliative care (PPC) became more urgent than ever. To address this, the Children’s Palliative Care Champions Course for Humanitarian Crisis Settings was launched as a virtual ECHO training program. Developed in partnership with Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration, Palliative Care in Humanitarian Aid Situations and Emergencies (PallCHASE) and the International Children’s Palliative Care Network ,the course aimed to provide healthcare workers with the tools to deliver PPC in some of the world’s most demanding environments.
The course, grounded in the Project ECHO model, delivered essential training through video lectures, case presentations, and interactive learning. It aimed to equip healthcare professionals including pediatricians, nurses, and allied health workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to care for children with serious health-related conditions in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
The course was structured as six weekly sessions, each lasting 75 minutes. The final session and closing ceremony were held on August 19, 2024. 39 healthcare professionals from crisis-affected regions participated in the program, which aimed to build a foundation of best practices for pediatric palliative care.
As part of the program, participants completed the online course, Children’s Palliative Care in Humanitarian settings, available on ICPCN’s Education and Membership Hub. Supplementary materials were provided and every week five participants presented key takeaways from the online modules, fostering peer-led learning and active participation. This interactive approach not only strengthened knowledge but also encouraged reflection on how to apply PPC principles in resource-limited settings, which are common in humanitarian crises.
One of the core strengths of the program was its global faculty, which brought together experts from India, the United Kingdom, Canada, Kuwait, and South Africa. These international instructors shared their expertise and served as mentors, guiding the participants through the challenges they faced in their respective settings. The program fostered a global network of healthcare professionals, enabling participants to develop valuable relationships that could offer support even after the program ended.
The international collaboration emphasized the growing recognition of pediatric palliative care as a critical component of healthcare in humanitarian settings. By bringing together experts from different countries, the course enriched participants’ learning experiences and offered multiple perspectives on PPC delivery in complex environments.
The six sessions followed the format of the online modules and covered the following topics:
- Introduction to Pediatric Palliative Care in Humanitarian Settings
- Communication
- Pain Management
- Symptom Management
- End-of-Life Care – Symptom Management
- End-of-Life Care – Grief, Bereavement, and Self-Care
Upon completing the course, healthcare providers were better equipped to identify children with palliative care needs and apply a pediatric palliative approach to their care. This is particularly important where healthcare systems are often overwhelmed and access to specialized care is limited.
Dr. Abdallah Alwawi, Assistant Professor of Adult Medical & Critical Care at Al-Quds University in Palestine, expressed high praise for the initiative, stating, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the experts and professors for their tremendous efforts and invaluable contributions. We have greatly benefited from your knowledge and expertise in the field of pediatric palliative care. We hope to be informed of all upcoming activities and events, and we would appreciate it if you could notify us of any available research groups in this area.”
The course’s impact was further validated by its endorsement from the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) in the UK. This endorsement ensured the program’s reach and significance, positioning it as a key initiative in shaping the future of pediatric palliative care in underserved areas.
As the program concluded, it left behind a legacy of healthcare providers who have emerged as champions of pediatric palliative care, even in the most challenging environments. These champions will continue to play a vital role in transforming care for children with serious health-related suffering, ensuring they receive the compassionate and comprehensive care they deserve.
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