Speakers
Joan Marston
Global Ambassador for the ICPCN
Joan Marston studied Nursing, Sociology and Social Anthropology at the University of Kwazulu-Natal and has been working in palliative care since 1989 at a local, national, and international level. With a special interest in children Joan first established Sunflower Children’s Hospice in Bloemfontein in 1998, before setting up both the first national Advocacy and Paediatric Palliative Care (PPC) development programmes within HPCA (now APCC. During that time she was instrumental in developing Beacon Centres for PPC in Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa; co- founding the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) in 2005, of which she was the first Chair and CEO; developing PPC development projects across Malawi and Maharashtra, India; also supporting development and education in many countries around the world. A Canon Emeritus and Lay Minister in the Anglican church, Joan has a deep interest in children’s spirituality. Concerned about the lack of palliative care in humanitarian settings she then co- founded PallCHASE – Palliative Care in Humanitarian Aid Situations and Emergencies - and is on the Executive Committee leading on Advocacy. As the Vice- President of the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation Global Joan co-facilitates the EKRF South-Asian Fellowship programme. Teaching across a number of countries; Joan is on the Advisory council of Global Partners in Care. Her PPC development support for Ukraine led to her being invited to be an honorary Consultant to the Centre of Palliative Medicine at the Kharkiv National Medical University in Ukraine. She continues to support her colleagues there. Joan is a Global Ambassador for the ICPCN; on the faculty of a number of international educational programmes; participates in research, was co-founder of Hospice Bloemfontein, and is still an active volunteer with Sunflower Children's Hospice. Married to Richard with two adult children, she delights in her three gorgeous grandsons.
Prof. Seggane Musisi
Former Head of Psychiatry at Makerere University College of Health Sciences
Prof. Seggane Musisi is the former Head of Psychiatry at Makerere University College of Health Sciences where he obtained his medical degree and then went for specialist Psychiatry training at the University of Toronto, Canada. With research interest in Psychosomatics, Liaison and Intensive Care Psychiatry, he published on Eating disorders, Depression, Sleep disorders, Tourette’s syndrome and Intensive Care Psychiatry. Upon return to Uganda, he founded the African Psycare Research Organization (APRO), to research, teach and consult on mental health problems in Africa focusing on emerging new mental health challenges. He has researched and published widely on brain degenerations in Africa, HIV mental health problems, war-related psychological trauma, severe mental illness and old age psychiatry as well as traditional healing practices connecting traditional and contemporary approaches to mental wellness, cognizant of cultural influences on African psychiatric symptom presentation and health seeking. He has written papers, books, book-chapters, editorials and has convened conferences. He sits on various boards, has been Editor-In-Chief of two scientific journals and has won grants and awards, including the Fulbright New Century Scholars award. He is a Fellow of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) and is the founder and CEO of Entebbe Lakeside Hospital in Entebbe, Uganda. Prof. Seggane Musisi has been the architect of general hospital psychiatry in Uganda thus championing the integration of psychiatry in general hospital medical practice in this country, thus bringing mental health care to the common person at their nearest health facility or Health Centre. He is an internationally celebrated and industrious psychiatrist, teacher, researcher, clinician and medical innovator.
Dr Nahla Gafer
Clinical Oncologist
Dr Nahla Gafer is a clinical oncologist who trained in Hospice Africa Uganda and later completed her M.Sc. in palliative care at King's College London. She started the first palliative care service in Sudan, integrating early palliative care and active oncology treatment to cancer patients. She helped train multi-disciplinary health professionals in her country and regionally. She is still supervising the team who are providing the service in several cities and remotely. She is part of and is co-ordinating the Expert Network for Palliative Care at the Eastern Mediterranean Office of WHO.
Professor Isaac Adewole
Former Minister of Health Nigeria and former Vice. Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; and former President of Africa Organization for Research and Training in Cancer.
Prof. Isaac F. Adewole is a former Minister of Health Nigeria and former Vice. Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Nigeria; and former President of Africa Organization for Research and Training in Cancer. He co-founded the African Cancer Coalition and is a member of the International Taskforce on Elimination of Cervical Cancer in the Commonwealth. Prof. Adewole is a global health expert and leader committed to the health and well-being of women. He has led several research projects on cervical cancer prevention, diagnosis, and capacity building in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. He has authored more than 250 publications on topics such as cervical cancer, sexual and reproductive health and rights, abortion, HIV, and Human Papillomavirus (Total Citation 20,518; h index48; i10- index 140). As Minister of Health, he launched an ambitious program to rehabilitate 10,000 primary health care centers. He concentrated on swiftly reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria, eradicating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, enhancing capacity for cancer prevention and management, and fortifying the national public health system to tackle disease outbreaks effectively. He served as a Commissioner on the WHO High-Level Commission on NCD (2018-2019) and the Lancet Oncology Commission on Cancer Control in Sub-Saharan Africa. He is also a member of the UNESCO/UNFPA-sponsored High-Level Committee on West and Central Africa (WCA), which is dedicated to educating healthy and thriving adolescents and young people. Currently, he is reviewing the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Harmonized Cancer Treatment Guidelines for Sub-Saharan Africa and is serving on the Lancet Commission on Cancer and Health Systems. He serves as a Patron of the Boys Brigade of Nigeria. In 2020, Emperor Naruhito awarded him the Order of Rising Star and the Gold and Silver Star of Japan in recognition of his efforts as Minister of Health and for fostering a closer Japanese-Nigerian relationship. He is the Chair of the National Taskforce on Cervical Cancer Elimination in Nigeria and a Senior Health Consultant to the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Jean Callanan
Irish Hospice Foundation
Jean Callanan is a good death advocate. A former international business executive, she has chaired the Irish Hospice Foundation for the past five years. IHF is Ireland's leading not-for-profit on dying death and bereavement and works to ensure the best end-of-life and bereavement care, for all. From advocacy and education to vital services like Nurses for Night Care and a Bereavement Support Line, IHF believe in the importance of dying well and grieving well wherever the place. While primarily an Irish-focused organisation, the IHF has been involved, in a limited way, supporting the development of palliative care in Africa. Jean is a regular media commentator on death and is actively involved in several projects to improve palliative care in Africa.
Professor Richard Harding
Executive Dean of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care at King's College London
Professor Harding is Interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care and Herbert Dunhill Chair of Palliative Care & Rehabilitation, King’s College London. He leads the faculty’s academic and strategic direction. At the Cicely Saunders Institute Richard directs the WHO Collaborating Centre for Palliative Care, recently leading on a report commissioned for the World Innovation Summit for Health 2024. He is Vice Chair of the World Hospice Palliative Care Alliance and is founding Director of the Centre for Global Health Palliative Care. Richard was awarded the African Palliative Care Association prize for leading publications in palliative care and is co-Chair of the African Palliative Care Research Network. He holds a visiting Chair in Palliative Care at the University of Cape Town and was appointed Adjunct Professor at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India. Richard has a background in social science, HIV care management and health services research. His research focuses on person-centredness for people living with serious health conditions. He has a particular interest in patient-reported assessment of physical, psychological social and spiritual wellbeing in routine to ensure people are empowered to identify what matters to them in their care. He has developed simple tools to enable this. His global programme promotes person-centredness across the life course. This includes methods to enable children to identify their concerns to health care professionals, and optimising wellbeing at the end of life.
Eric Finkelstein
The Economics and Psychology of Treating Advanced Illnesses in Africa
Dr. Finkelstein is Professor of Economics at the Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore and the Executive Director of the Lien Centre for Palliative Care. His research focuses on the economic causes and consequences of health behaviors. A major focus are studies to better understand the complicated decisions that revolve around end-of-life care. He has published over 300 manuscripts and 2 books in these areas. Based on google scholar, he has an h-index of 79, i10-index of 279 and his publications have been cited over 120,000 times, including in the landmark Supreme Court decision upholding the U.S. Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare). He was included in the list of the World's Most Highly Cited Researchers in 2015, 2016 and 2017 by Thomson Reuters and Clarivate Analytics and among the Top 2% of scientists worldwide in a study by Stanford University in 2021.
Richard “Rick” Bauer (Fr)
Spiritual Care in Health and Palliative Care.
Richard “Rick” Bauer, BCC, M.Div., MSW is a Board Certified Chaplain on staff at the George Washington University Institute for Spirituality and Health (GWish), an ISPEC© faculty member, and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He had previously served for twenty-five years in east and southern Africa coordinating support programs for people living with HIV and working to integrate spiritual care into health care. He has served on the board of directors for the African Palliative Care Association (APCA) and is currently on the executive committee of PallCHASE, Palliative Care in Humanitarian Aid Situations and Emergencies. Rick is a global advocate for palliative care and the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of patient care and support.
Professor Julia Downing
The state of Children’s Palliative Care in Africa
Julia is an experienced palliative care nurse, advocate, educationalist and researcher. She is the Chief Executive of the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) and has honorary and visiting appointments at universities in several countries. She has extensive experience in Global children’s palliative care, research and education, and is on the editorial board of ecancer, APM and the IJPN. She has worked within palliative care for >34 years, with >24 of those working internationally in Uganda, Africa, Eastern Europe and globally. Professor Downing serves on the Boards of several NGOs including the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care, the Worldwide Hospice and Palliative Care Alliance, the African Palliative Care Association UK and ehospice. She also works closely with the World Health Organization. She has many publications and is experienced at presenting at conferences. She has been involved in APCA since its inception and is delighted to be here at the 20th Anniversary conference and celebrations.
Julie Ling
Former CEO of the European Association for Palliative Care
Originally a nurse, Julie has worked in palliative care for thirty-five years in both adult and children’s palliative care. She has held a variety of posts in clinical care; management; research; policy and the voluntary sector. She successfully completed a PhD by research and has an MBA from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Julie was CEO of the European Association for Palliative Care for ten years. During this time, she guided the EAPC through some challenging times working with the board and her team to ensure its long-term sustainability. During her tenure Julie focused on ensuring robust organizational and financial governance and stronger engagement with EAPC members. She was also successful in obtaining European Union funding as both a partner in more than twenty EU-funded projects and by securing two EU operational grants for the EAPC. In her current role as Technical Officer for Palliative Care at the World Health Organization European regional office in Copenhagen, Julie provides technical support to member states on the development and strengthening of palliative care across the life course. Much of this work focuses on the Eastern part of the European region.
Dr Mareko Ramotsababa
Palliative Care and Primary Healthcare in Africa.
Dr. Mareko Ramotsababa is a seasoned clinician and health systems leader with over 15 years of experience in clinical care, health policy, and strategic management. He currently serves as Secretary of Primary Health Care at Botswana’s Ministry of Health, leading the design and implementation of the national primary healthcare model. A registered Family Physician and adjunct lecturer at the University of Botswana and the Institute of Health Sciences, Dr. Ramotsababa has held various senior roles including Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary and Hospital Superintendent. His research focuses on integrated chronic disease care, and he has served as Principal and Study Physician on multiple national and international studies. Dr. Ramotsababa sits on several national boards and committees and has published in peer-reviewed journals. He holds an MMed in Family Medicine from the University of Botswana and an MBChB from the University of Cape Town.
Dr Ambrose Talisuna
Palliative care and Global Health Security
Dr. Ambrose Otau Talisuna is the Regional Advisor for Health Security and International Health Regulations, Unit Lead for Health Security Preparedness (HSP), and Lead for Preparedness on the Incident Management Support Team (IMST) for the COVID-19 pandemic response in the World Health Organization Africa Region. Dr. Ambrose completed his medical degree at Makerere University in 1992 and his master’s degree in epidemiology from the University of London (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) in 1996. He was awarded a PhD from the University of Antwerp and Institute of Tropical Medicine for his work on the intensity of transmission and spread of antimalarial drug resistance in 2004. Between 1996 and 2011, Dr. Ambrose held senior management, leadership and scientific positions with the Uganda Ministry of Health, the Institute of Tropical Medicine, and the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV). He has been a field coordinator for a multi-country malaria clinical trial, whose data supported the registration of Euratesim by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). He received a senior fellowship in 2007 from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) for capacity strengthening for pharmacovigilance of antimalarial drugs in Africa. Between 2011 and early 2016, he was Regional Scientific Director for East Africa of the Worldwide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) and later a Senior Clinical Research Fellow with the University of Oxford-KEMRI Welcome Trust Programme in Nairobi, Kenya.
Benoît Burucoa
State of Palliative Care in Francophone countries
Dr. Benoît Burucoa, a native of Bayonne in the Basque Country of south-western France, comes from a lineage of ophthalmologists but was drawn from an early age to the field of medicine with a special commitment to pain and palliative care. Recognizing the critical need for compassionate end-of-life care—a field that was underdeveloped in the 1980s—he devoted his medical career to advancing palliative medicine. From 1988 to 1995, Dr. Burucoa served as Head of the Palliative Care Unit at Clinique Marie Galène in Bordeaux. He went on to lead the Palliative Medicine Department at Bordeaux University Hospital from 1995 to 2021, where he oversaw a comprehensive program that included an inpatient palliative care unit, three mobile palliative care teams, and outpatient consultations. From 2011 to 2020, he also held the position of Associate Professor of Palliative Medicine at the University of Bordeaux. Since 2007, Dr. Burucoa has served as President of the Association for the Development of Palliative Care in Africa (ADESPA), working to promote and support palliative care initiatives across the continent. In 2017, he was elected President of the International Francophone Federation of Palliative Care (FISP), further extending his impact on palliative care policy and practice in French-speaking countries. His dedication has been recognized through numerous distinctions, including being named a Knight of the Order of Merit, receiving the Generation 2000 Prize for physicians specializing in pain, the Médaille de la Ville de Bordeaux, and the Sour Pearl Berg Prize. Dr. Burucoa brings to this conference decades of leadership, clinical excellence, and unwavering commitment to the global advancement of palliative care.
Dr Babe Eunice Gaolebale
Cancer care in Botswana
Dr Babe Gaolebale is the leading palliative care clinician in Botswana. She has been practicing palliative care for over 15 years. She is an Ordained Pastor that has just completed her masters in Divinity enabling her to offer specialist palliative care combined with deep spiritual insight providing Holistic patient centered care.. She has contributed positively to the development of palliative care in Botswana including the development of the Palliative care guidelines, Policy , strategy and national training programs .She has led the pain Free Hospital Initiative as the national champion since its introduction in 2016. She is the current Chairman of the National Palliative care Technical Working group. She sits on the Board of the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA) . She is an executive member of the Botswana Hospice and Palliative care Association (BHPCA ) She has publications in palliative care and cancer care with ongoing collaborations and research . She offers sessional palliative care teachings to both undergraduates and postgraduates for University of Botswana School of Medicine.
