Burjeel Holdings Hosts UAE’s First-Ever Palliative Care Conference in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: In a pioneering effort to raise awareness about palliative care and its vital role in enhancing the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses, Burjeel Holdings organized the UAE’s first-ever Palliative Care Conference in Abu Dhabi. The two-day event, endorsed by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), attracted nearly 500 in-person attendees and over 3,000 virtual participants, underscoring the importance of palliative care in the healthcare sector.

The inaugural session of the conference was graced by Sawsan Jafar, Founding Member and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Friends of Cancer Patients, John Sunil, CEO of Burjeel Holdings, and Prof. Humaid Al Shamsi, CEO of Burjeel Cancer Institute. The event provided healthcare professionals with a unique platform to deepen their understanding of palliative care and explore how it improves the quality of life for patients by relieving suffering and managing symptoms associated with serious illnesses.

Keynote speaker Dr. M.R. Rajagopal, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and a pioneer in Indian palliative care, delivered an impactful address, drawing on his three decades of experience in the field. He emphasized the universal responsibility of healthcare providers to reduce suffering and advocated for the integration of palliative care into all healthcare practices.

“Every healthcare provider has a responsibility to reduce suffering. Palliative care should be integrated into all healthcare practices, with providers applying its principles in every aspect of care. This includes alleviating pain and other symptoms, while also offering psychological and social support to enhance the overall well-being of patients,” said Dr. Rajagopal.

Other notable speakers included Dr. Joy Ross, a hospice care expert from London, who presented on the societal benefits of hospice care, and Prof. Justin Baker, a global authority on pediatric palliative care, who discussed essential approaches to caring for children with life-limiting conditions. A particularly moving session featured a healthcare professional from Gaza, who shared insights into providing palliative care in conflict zones, highlighting the critical need for such care even in the most challenging environments.

The conference brought together experts from the UAE, India, the UK, Saudi Arabia, and Italy, covering a broad range of topics, including palliative care advocacy, nursing roles, and international experiences. These discussions emphasized the importance of specialized roles in palliative nursing and advocated for a greater integration of palliative care into healthcare services across the UAE.

One of the key highlights of the event was Burjeel Holdings’ announcement of plans to establish a state-of-the-art hospice palliative care center in the UAE. Dr. Neil Arun Nijhawan, Conference Chair and Director of Palliative and Supportive Care at Burjeel Cancer Institute, outlined Burjeel Holdings’ vision for this new center.

“Burjeel Holdings is committed to developing a hospice that will offer patients and families the highest levels of palliative care, ensuring dignity and relief from suffering at every stage of illness. We envision a future where palliative care is an integral part of healthcare services across the UAE,” said Dr. Nijhawan.

The event marked a significant milestone in the UAE’s healthcare landscape, fostering a deeper understanding of palliative care while reinforcing the country’s commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.