Uganda has taken a new step to bring compassion and care closer to communities, by introducing palliative care education in primary and secondary schools.
As the world marks World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025, under the theme, “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care,” and Uganda’s national theme, “Amplifying Palliative Care Awareness through Introducing Palliative Care in Primary and Secondary Schools,” focus is on ensuring that everyone, regardless of age or background, can access care and comfort during illness and pain.
Led by the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU) the national commemorations acknowledged caregivers and raise awareness about the importance of palliative care, highlighting the need for empathy, support, and understanding for those living with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, and dementia.
Globally, only 14% of those who need palliative receive it mostly in wealthy countries. According to the African Palliative Care Association (APCA), Africa still faces limited access to essential medicines, few trained professionals, and poor integration of palliative care in health systems. Every year, more than 17 million Africans experience severe health-related suffering.
Uganda, however, is a leading example on the continent. Since Dr. Anne Merriman introduced palliative care in 1993 through Hospice Africa Uganda, the country has steadily built strong systems.
Uganda now offers specialized diploma, degree, and master’s programs in palliative care, and the government provides free oral morphine to help patients manage pain. The Ministry of Health also has a dedicated palliative care division that works closely with PCAU and other partners.
Still, the challenges remain. An estimated 500,000 Ugandans need palliative care, but only about 11% can access it. Many rural communities lack nearby health facilities, and there are just about 300 health centers offering palliative care in 107 of Uganda’s 146 districts.
PCAU’s Executive Director, Mark-Donald Mwesiga, called for stronger policies, more training for health workers, and increased government support.
“We appreciate all palliative care providers who care for patients and their families. We urge all stakeholders to improve access through better policies, investment, and training.”
One of the major barriers is the lack of awareness. Many people, including community leaders and families, still misunderstand what palliative care means often thinking it is only for those close to death. In reality, it is about living better while facing illness and helping families cope emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
To change this mindset, PCAU is now working with the Ministry of Education and Sports to teach palliative care principles in schools. The initiative began in 2023 at Taibah International School, where the first “Palliative Care Club” was launched.
The program has since expanded to six regional schools, reaching over 1,500 students and teachers. The idea is to help young people learn empathy, compassion, and community care early in life.
Speaking at the commemoration at Hospice Africa Uganda, Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports, praised the initiative as a vital part of building holistic education.
“You cannot just teach the head and forget the heart. True education develops compassion, empathy, and humanity not just good grades. Palliative care helps our young people learn to be caring and responsible citizens.”
She recalled her personal experience of caring for her sick parents and how palliative care made a difference, describing it as “a way of healing hearts as much as bodies.”
She urged teachers to use school clubs to teach life skills that help students care for others, saying that palliative care “is not just a club, it’s a skill for everyone.”
Dr. Turyagyenda emphasized that Uganda’s education system is being reformed to nurture complete human beings people who can think critically, act with compassion, and contribute positively to society.
“We want young people who are kind, thoughtful, and human not just those who pass exams,” she said. “If we train the head and forget the heart, we lose what makes us truly human.”
She also called for palliative care to be expanded to all regions, so families in rural areas can receive support close to home.
The day ended with a call for unity and compassion. PCAU encouraged all Ugandans, community leaders, teachers, health workers, and families, to become advocates for palliative care.
As the global health community pushes for Universal Health Coverage, Uganda’s new approach connects care with education and compassion. It shows that palliative care is not only a medical service it is a shared human responsibility. “When we teach our children compassion,” said Dr. Turyagyenda, “we are shaping a nation that cares for its people in sickness and in health.