South African collaboration shines at the 8th International APCA Conference

Gaborone, Botswana 

Image: APCC’s Warren Oxford-Huggett being interviewed for a Botswana TV Service

Last month, the Association of Palliative Care Centres (APCC), Palliative Care for Children South Africa (PatchSA), and the Association of Palliative Care Practitioners of South Africa (PALPRAC) were honoured to represent South Africa at the 8th International African Palliative Care and Allied Services Conference, hosted in Gaborone by the African Palliative Care Association (APCA) in partnership with Botswana’s Ministry of Health. This landmark event brought together leaders from across Africa and beyond. Ministers of health, policymakers, donors, researchers, patients, caregivers, and providers united in the mission to embed palliative care into Africa’s health systems.

A unified South African presence
Together, APCC, PatchSA, and PALPRAC showcased their work at a joint booth, highlighting their commitment to collaborative care. It was a powerful opportunity to connect with colleagues across the continent and globally, exchanging insights, innovations, and shared challenges.

We were proud to see strong APCC representation:

• APCC Delegates: Motlalentoa Motsoane, Tersia Burger, and Warren Oxford-Huggett.
• Global Partners in Care sponsorships: Sungardens Hospice, South Coast Hospice, Msunduzi Hospice.
• Other sponsored delegates: St Luke’s Hospice, Helderberg Hospice.

Celebrating milestones and leadership
The conference marked APCA’s 20-year anniversary, a moment to reflect on two decades of impact and set the stage for the future. Dr Emmanuel Luyirika was celebrated for his visionary leadership as he prepares for retirement, with Dr Eve Namisango announced as his successor.

We also celebrate Zama’s achievement in the inaugural Radical Innovations Competition, where she earned second place for her bold contribution to care delivery.

Research and evidence at the forefront
One of the most powerful takeaways was the central role of research in advancing palliative care. Plenary sessions and papers spotlighted African-led studies, showcasing diverse models of care and reinforcing the importance of evidence-based practice. This emphasis aligns deeply with our own commitment to strengthening research capacity and amplifying African voices.

 Spotlight on the Radical Innovations Challenge
A standout moment was the launch of the first-ever APCA Radical Innovations Challenge, in partnership with Global Treehouse, Cambridge Africa Programme, and the International Children’s Palliative Care Network. This groundbreaking initiative invited bold, “blue-sky” thinking to transform palliative care and bereavement support across Africa, focusing on scalable models, technology, and data-driven approaches.

We’re thrilled to celebrate Zama Ndlazi, a medical officer at a long-term psychiatric hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, who earned second place. Her innovation advocates for integrating palliative care into mental health services within South Africa’s psychiatric hospitals; uniting fragmented systems and restoring dignity for society’s most marginalised. As Zama shared:

“Being a part of the Radical Innovations competition was very exciting and the response to my idea was incredibly heartwarming. I am grateful to the South African delegates who showed me support and kindness. A second place was a definite highlight.”

Congratulations also to:

• Winner: Nabunje Diana Lubega (Uganda), developer of mPallCare, a digital health platform improving care delivery for individuals with life-limiting illnesses.
• Third Place: Nuhamin Tekle Gebre (Ethiopia), whose mobile-enabled home-based model empowers community health workers with decision support and mentorship.

These innovations hold immense promise for improving access to care, especially for children, adolescents, and families in low-resource settings.

Tools for equity and access

Two major launches underscored APCA’s strategic vision:

• The African Palliative Care Atlas: A vital tool mapping access, gaps, and opportunities across the continent.
• The African Palliative Care Research Centre of Excellence: A new hub for collaboration, capacity-building, and knowledge generation.

Culture, connection and community
The final day’s cultural celebration reminded us that palliative care is not just clinical, it’s deeply human. For many, the most meaningful aspect of the conference was the opportunity to connect, learn, and build relationships across borders. This spirit of solidarity and shared purpose will continue to guide our work.