14/10/2026
Palliative Care is not a luxury. It is an essential part of compassionate healthcare.
On World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2026, we were reminded that pain extends beyond the physical. It is the fear of a diagnosis, the uncertainty of illness, the emotional burden on families, and the financial hardship that can make accessing essential care even more difficult.
Through the Cancer Association of Namibia and Palliative Care Namibia, our commitment remains clear: no patient should suffer unnecessarily, and no family should have to face this journey alone because they cannot afford the care they need.
The Palliative Care Fund was established to help financially vulnerable cancer patients access essential nursing, symptom management, hospice and palliative care, while preserving dignity and supporting families.
We are deeply grateful to First National Bank of Namibia, through the FirstRand Namibia Foundation, for its commitment to the Fund.
The donation of N$1,3+ million per annum for 3 consecutive years represents more than financial support — it is an investment in dignity, equitable access to care and the power of collective responsibility.
Together with the Ministry of Health and Social Services, our healthcare professionals, caregivers and partners, we continue working towards a Namibia where palliative care is accessible to those who need it, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Because, ultimately, palliative care is about ensuring that every person matters, every life deserves dignity, and no one is left to walk a difficult journey alone.
Together, we can bring comfort where there is pain, dignity where there is vulnerability, and hope where it is needed most.
Ministry of Health and Social Services-Namibia
UICC - Union for International Cancer Control
Cancer Association of Namibia
FNB Namibia
