Best Western Plus Hotel, Kathmandu and Virtual Conference Online

Session – 18th February – Day 1

1. Welcome and Conference Inauguration

Presenter: Ms Mahima Battarai (MC), Dr Arun Budha (Medical Services Director, GPH), Mr Krishna Adhikari (ED, INF Nepal), Prof Rajesh Gongal (VC, PAHS)

2. History of Palliative Care in INF Nepal and the Development of the Sunita Project

Presenter: Dr Ruth Powys (Retired Palliative Care Services Head, GPH)

3. Palliative Care Needs in Rural Nepal: Exploratory Mixed Methods Survey

Presenter: Sunita Project Research Team

4. Sunita Project – Training Programs and Evaluation: What Did We Learn?

Presenter: Sunita Project Research Team

5. Working Together for Palliative Care: A Rural Health Team’s Experience

Presenter: Dr Dum Kumari and Team from Rainas Municipality

6. Research Partnership with Global Health Academy

Presenter: Dr Dave Fearon (GHA, University of Edinburgh)

7. Essential Medicines for Palliative Care

Presenter: Dr Daniel Munday (Consultant Advisor, Sunita Project)

Launch of the Palliative Care Formulary : Mr Krishna Adhikari, Prof Bishnu Paudel, Prof Rajesh Gongal

Session – 19th February – Day 2

1. Opening Ceremony Day Two

Presenter: Dr Arun Budha, Dr Cathy Ratcliff (CEO EMMS), Mr Rob Fenn (British Ambassador)

2. Keynote Lecture One: “10 years’ Experience of Developing Community Palliative Care”

Presenter: Professor Rajesh Gongal (VC Patan Academy of Health Sciences and Hospice Nepal)

3. Overview of Sunita Project and the Way Forward

Presenter: Dr Amrita Shrestha (Palliative Care Services Lead, GPH)

4. “Sunita’s Story” a Contributor-led Video of Rural Palliative Care – Chair’s Remarks

Presenter: Mr Krishna Adhikari

5. Keynote Lecture Two: Global Health and Palliative Care

Presenter: Professor Liz Grant (Director, Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh, UK)

6. WHO – Global Initiatives

Presenter: Dr Megan Doherty (Consultant, WHO, Geneva)

7. Palliative Care in Kerala: The Pallium India Experience

Presenter: Ms Smriti Rana (Head of Strategic Programmes and Partnerships, Pallium India)

8. Palliative Care and Mental Health in the Community

Presenter: Dr Chitra Venkateswaran (Consultant Psychiatrist and Director, Mehac Foundation, Kerala)

9. Rural Palliative Care in Ethiopia

Presenter: Dr Nuhamin Gebre (King’s College, London)

10. Poverty Reducing Palliative Care – Malawi

Presenter: Dr Maya Jane Bates (GHA, University of Edinburgh)

11. NAPCare Response

Presenter: Professor Bishnu Paudel (President of NAPCare)

12. Palliative Care at the Gurkha Welfare Trust

Presenter: Dr Satish Gurung (Deputy Medical Director, GWT)

13. The Difference Palliative Care Makes in a Rural Hospital

Presenter: Dr Rajib Neupane (UMN Hospital Tansen)

14. Fellowship in Palliative Care: Report of the First Completed Rotation

Presenter: Dr Raj Kumar Gajmer (Assistant Professor, PAHS)

15. Children’s Palliative Care

Presenter: Dr Amrita Shrestha, Ms Sarah Riggsbee (Rehabilitation Lead, GPH)

16. Vacuum Dressing Research

Presenter: Dr Suraj Maharjan (Plastic Surgeon), Dr Arjan Knulst (Biomedical Engineer, GPH)

17. PhD – NCD Research in Nepal

Presenter: Ms Namuna Shrestha (University of Huddersfield, UK)

18. MSc Dissertation – Moral Distress in Healthcare Workers

Presenter: Ms Manju BK (Palliative Care Specialist Nurse, Lalgadh Hospital)

19. Closing Ceremony with Message from Chief Guest

Presenter: The Honourable Minister of Health and Population, Mr Pradip Paudel

20. “Sunita’s Story” a Contributor-led Video of Rural Palliative Care

INF Nepal Hosted International Conference on Palliative Care in Rural Nepal: “Leave No One Behind”

Kathmandu, February 18-19, 2025

INF Nepal successfully hosted the International Conference on Palliative Care for All in Rural Nepal: “Leave No One Behind.” The hybrid conference took place at Best Western Plus (Hotel Ryne), Pingalasthan, Kathmandu, on February 18-19, 2025, featuring fully integrated face-to-face and virtual sessions.

This conference aimed to explore the development of primary palliative care in rural Nepal and celebrate the achievements of the Sunita Project—a UK Aid Match-funded initiative delivered by INF Nepal in partnership with EMMS International, a Scottish health development charity. This two-day conference brought together key stakeholders, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and international experts to discuss and promote equitable access to palliative care services in Nepal’s rural areas.  The conference highlighted the key outcomes and lessons learned from the Sunita Project (2022-2025), which played a crucial role in developing a sustainable model for primary palliative care in rural Nepal.

Over the two days, the conference witnessed firsthand impact of Sunita Project and and similar initiatives, demonstrating how holistic, community-driven care can support individuals and families facing life-limiting illnesses in some of Nepal’s most remote and resource-limited areas. As the conference continued, we had the opportunity to learn and hear from esteemed speakers and experts from South Asia, Africa, and beyond, who shared/presented insights, innovative solutions, and real-world experiences in advancing palliative care. These discussions aimed to deepen understanding and inspire collective action toward strengthening palliative care services within Nepal’s healthcare system.

Key Highlights from Day One 18^th February, 2025:
The conference opened with a warm welcome address by Dr Arun Kumar Budha, Medical Services Director of INF Nepal Green Pastures Hospital. In his speech, he extended his gratitude to distinguished guests, international delegates, and participants, emphasizing the importance of palliative care in ensuring dignified and compassionate healthcare for individuals facing life-limiting illnesses. He highlighted INF Nepal’s commitment to strengthening primary palliative care services in rural Nepal and expressed optimism that this conference would foster collaborations, knowledge exchange, and actionable strategies to improve healthcare accessibility. Some of the other key highlights is listed below:

Opening Ceremony: The event was inaugurated digitally by Professor Dr. Rajesh Nath Gongal, Vice-Chancellor of Patan Academy of Health Sciences, alongside Krishna Adhikari, Executive Director of INF Nepal.

• Dr. Ruth Powys, former Palliative Care Services Lead at INF Nepal Green Pastures Hospital, presented the history of palliative care in INF Nepal and the development of the Sunita Project, which has been instrumental in creating a sustainable model for palliative care in rural settings.
• The Sunita Project research team shared insights from an exploratory mixed-method survey on palliative care needs in Nepal, providing valuable data for improving future services. Similarly, Dr Daniel Munday and the Project team presented on the training programs and evaluation conducted under the initiative, emphasizing capacity-building for healthcare providers.
• Dr Dum Kumari Pun and her team from Rainas Municipality showcased a successful rural health team experience in integrating palliative care into local healthcare services.
•  Dr Dave Fearon from the Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh, delivered a session on global approaches to palliative care and their applicability in Nepal.
• A major milestone of the day was the launch of the Palliative Care Formulary of this essential resource for healthcare providers, designed to enhance palliative care services. Professor Dr. Bishnu Dutta Paudel, President of the Nepalese Association of Palliative Care, also addressed the gathering.

The day concluded with reflections and discussions chaired by Dr Amrita Shrestha, Palliative Care Service Lead at INF Nepal Green Pastures Hospital. Throughout the event, Mahima Bhattarai expertly moderated the sessions, ensuring smooth transitions and meaningful discussions. Krishna Adhikari, Executive Director of INF Nepal, served as the conference chair, overseeing the proceedings and reinforcing the organization’s commitment to expanding palliative care access across Nepal.

Key Highlights of Day Two, 19^th February 2025:
The second day of the International Conference on Palliative Care for All in Rural Nepal built upon the discussions from Day One, diving deeper into scientific research, international perspectives, and collaborative efforts to enhance palliative care in Nepal. With a focus on community-driven models and global health initiatives, Day Two brought together experts, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to discuss sustainable solutions for palliative care in low-resource settings. The day also featured research presentations on community palliative care in Nepal, experiences from frontline health workers, and case studies from international partners in India, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Malawi.

The morning session was graced by His Excellency Rob Fenn, UK Ambassador to Nepal, whose presence underscored the importance of international partnerships in strengthening palliative care services. The day began with a warm welcome, from Dr Arun Kumar Budha setting the stage for discussions on community-based palliative care and its transformative impact on rural healthcare. Followed by speech from Dr Cathy Ratcliff, CEO, EMMS International Dr. Ratcliff emphasized EMMS International’s commitment to palliative care in Nepal, sharing insights on partnership-driven approaches that have helped improve end-of-life care in remote areas. The UK Ambassador HE Rob Fenn, reaffirmed the British government’s support for initiatives like the Sunita Project and highlighted the critical role of collaboration in ensuring quality palliative care services for marginalized communities.

Keynote Lectures & Research Presentations:

• Keynote Lecture 1: “10 Years’ Experience of Developing Community Palliative Care” Prof. Dr. Rajesh Nath Gongal, Vice-Chancellor, Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) Prof. Dr. Gongal shared insights from the Makwanpur model, a pioneering initiative that has successfully integrated palliative care into Nepal’s primary healthcare system.
• Premiere of “Sunita’s Story”, a powerful contributor-led video showcasing the real-life impact of the Sunita Project, narrated through personal experiences of patients, caregivers, and frontline health workers.
• Overview of the Sunita Project & Future Roadmap, Dr Amrita Shrestha, Palliative Care Services Lead, INF Nepal, Green Pastures Hospital (GPH)
  Dr. Shrestha outlined the achievements, challenges, and future directions of the Sunita Project, emphasizing the need for policy integration and capacity-building efforts.

International & National Contributions:

• Keynote Lecture 2: “Global Health and Palliative Care”
  Liz Grant, Professor of Global Health, University of Edinburgh, UK
  Prof. Grant discussed palliative care as a global health priority, highlighting models from low-income countries that can inform Nepal’s approach.
• Perspectives from Global Experts & Organizations
• WHO Global Initiatives in Palliative Care – Megan Doherty, Consultant, WHO Geneva
• Palliative Care in Kerala: The Pallium India Experience – Smriti Rana, Head of Strategic Programs & Partnerships, Pallium India
• Palliative Care & Mental Health in the Community – Chitra Venkateswaran, Founder/Director, Mehac Foundation, Kerala
• Rural Palliative Care in Ethiopia – Nuhamin Gebre, King’s College London, UK
• Poverty-Reducing Palliative Care in Malawi – Maya Jane Bates, Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh

• Prof. Dr. Bishnu Dutta Paudel, President, Nepalese Association of Palliative Care presented NAPCare’s role in shaping Nepal’s national palliative care framework, calling for greater policy support and funding.
• Dr Satish Gurung, from The Gurkha Welfare Trust shared lessons from palliative care initiatives for Gurkha veterans, focusing on community-based support for aging populations.
• Dr. Rajib Neupane, from United Mission Hospital, Tansen highlighted the challenges and successes of implementing palliative care in a rural hospital setting.
• Dr. Raj Kumar Gajmer, from Patan Academy of Health Sciences shared his personal reflections on Nepal’s first fellowship in palliative care, marking a significant step toward specialized training for healthcare professionals.

Palliative Care & Research

• “Lily Ko Baigancha”: A Children’s Palliative Care Initiative Amrita Shrestha & Sarah Riggsbee, INF Nepal GPH lead a heartfelt session on pediatric palliative care, addressing the unique challenges of caring for terminally ill children. Similarly, Dr Suraj Maharjan, Consultant Plastic Surgeon presented on behalf of Dr Arjan Knulst, Biomedical Engineer, INF Nepal GPH about the
  breakthrough about the Vacuum dressing in wound care management with implications for palliative care patients requiring long-term dressing solutions.
• Namuna Shrestha, former Sunita Project Research Officer shared her PhD Research, University of Huddersfield, UK learnings. A comprehensive study on NCDs specially the Type two Diabetes and their connection to palliative care needs in Nepal. Similarly, Manju BK, from Lalgadh Hospital (Former Palliative Care Clinical Lead) presented her finding and learnings from the MSc Dissertation: “Moral Distress in Healthcare Workers“ An insightful presentation on the emotional and ethical challenges faced by healthcare workers in palliative care settings.

Closing Remarks & Vote of Thanks

• As a concluding remark Dr Bishnu Dutta Paudel reiterated the need for continued efforts in research, training, and advocacy to strengthen palliative care services across Nepal. Krishna Bahadur Adhikari, Executive Director, INF Nepal & Chair of the Conference expressed deep gratitude to all participants, speakers, and partners for their engagement and contributions, reaffirming INF Nepal’s commitment to improving palliative care accessibility in rural Nepal.

Palliative care is a vital yet often overlooked component of healthcare, especially in remote and rural areas. This conference aimed at advocating for accessible and quality palliative care for all, ensuring that no one is left behind. By bringing together leading experts and policymakers, the event will pave the way for sustainable palliative care solutions in Nepal.

The conference embodies INF Nepal’s ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life for disadvantaged and marginalized communities in Nepal through innovative health and development initiatives. INF Nepal invites healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and the public to participate in this vital event to learn, collaborate, and help ensure palliative care reaches even the most remote corners of Nepal.

About the Sunita Project: The Sunita Project, led by the Palliative Care and Chronic Disease (PCCD) unit at Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara, has been pivotal in developing a sustainable model of primary palliative care in rural Nepal. Over the past three years, the project has trained health workers and Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), raised community awareness through schools and health-related groups, and fostered a strong evidence base through a comprehensive research program in partnership with the Global Health Academy at the University of Edinburgh.

The Sunita Project is set to conclude on 31st March 2025. Emerging outcomes from the project will be shared at the conference. In addition to presentations from the project team, the conference will feature insights from partner organizations delivering palliative care across rural Nepal. International guests from South Asia and Africa will also contribute, offering perspectives from their own contexts to enrich the global conversation on palliative care.