UPTH, UNIPORT host HPCAN’s 16th AGM and scientific conference*

Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Nigeria (HPCAN) provides specialized medical and palliative care for people living with serious terminal illness like cancer or heart failure. Doctors, nurses , social workers, other professionals involved in the care of patients with palliative needs, participated in the conference.

The theme of the conference “Innovations in Palliative Care, Technological Advancement in Palliative Care and Navigating Cultural Diversity in Death & Dying.” held on the 3rd & 4th of July at Institute of Petroleum Studies University of Port Harcourt with a virtual pre-conference held on 2nd July.

Giving the welcome address was the Chairman of the occasion, Vice Chancellor University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT). Prof Abraham Owunari Georgewill, represented by the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Prof. Angela Briggs, stated that the conference reflects HPCAN’s commitment to patients with terminal illness and expressed the commitment to expand the tentacles of palliative care in Nigeria.

The co- host Chief Medical Director, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Prof. Henry A. Ugboma represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) Prof. Datonye Alasia stressed the need to extend palliative care to rural and local communities to adapt personalized approach towards patient care. Doctors and nurses should always counsel and encourage palliative care patients, he added

HPCAN’s National Chairman, Prof. Tonia Onyeka expressed hope that the conference will provide an avenue to exchange ideas on how to move palliative care forward in Nigeria, appreciating all Doctors and Nurses and those who engage in palliative care. She used the occasion to disclosed that 12th October is celebrated as “World HOSPICE day”

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Chairman, Dr. Geraldine Ndukwu in her remarks stated that experts are here to discuss technological strategies to move palliative care forward.

Keynote Address was delivered by the Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare Dr. Tunji Alausa represented by Prof. Datonye Alausa Datonye Alasia, who commended HPCAN and assured that the Ministry of Health will do her best to deliver palliative care in Nigeria, He also suggested innovations like Telemedicine which will shape the future of Palliative Care.

In the course of the conference there were Scientific and Plenary Sessions where experts made presentations on the following topics:

• Mr. James Norris (Founder of MyWishes Social Media Platform) “Technological Advancement in Palliative Care”.
• Prof. C.J Ugwu ( ~Psychology Professor~Professor of Psychology University of Port Harcourt) “Cultural Diversity in Death and Dying”.
• Dr. Samuel Otena (C.E.O of The Otene Memorial Healthcare Foundation) “Understanding Cultural Diversity in Palliative Care.”
• Prof. H.I Bell-Gam (Consultant Physician/H.O.D CEPU-UPTH) “Palliative Care Needs in Geriatrics.”
• Dr. S. Rotimi (Associate Professor of Biochemistry Covenant Universit, Nigeria) “Grantmanship in Palliative Care in Nigeria.”
• Dr. Lilian Ekpo (Director NSIA) “Embracing Endings: Navigating Cultural Diversity in Death & Dying”.
• Dr. Mrs. E.U Agunwah “Effects of Supportive Palliative Care Educational Intervention on Nurses’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practices in Palliative Care in Select Tertiary Hospitals in South-East Nigeria”.
• Dr. J. C. Egbumike “Stress and Sleep Status Across Early and Middle Adulthood in Enugu State Urban”.
• Mrs. G.U Oshionya “Effects of Dietary Counseling in Palliative Care Patients with Cancer in Federal Medical Center Umuahia, Nigeria”.
• Dr. Uche C.E “Depression and Self Esteem as Predictors of Suicidal Ideations Among Palliative Care Patients in Rivers State.
• Dr. Ifeturi “Morbidity Pattern in Palliative Care Across Different Hospitals and Regions”.

A consultant clinical oncologist , and head of UPTH oncology unit, who served as the master of ceremony (MC) Dr. Biyi-Olutunde used the occasion to encourage cancer patients to stop entertaining myths about Chemotherapy from non professionals and come to the hospital to seek adequate help.

The two day conference closed with panel discussion and the HPCAN’s annual general meeting.

-Angus Orseer Amough.