Our Approach
Strategic Framework
To increase knowledge and awareness of palliative and comprehensive chronic care linked to advocacy through and in collaboration with all stakeholders. APCA implements targeted strategies that leverage digital platforms, convene high level fora, and deliver tailored information to diverse audiences across 46 African countries.
Core Implementation Strategies
APCA will use the following approaches to limit financial requirements while maximizing reach across the continent:
- Leverage electronic platforms and social media to reach and engage stakeholders to minimise travel and accommodation costs
- Redevelop and refine the implementation of an APCA advocacy strategy
- Develop tailored packaging of information for each stakeholder level, bearing in mind the 2002 WHO definition and the 2014 WHA resolution on palliative care throughout the life course
- Convene virtual triennial African palliative care conferences, building attendance and attracting new stakeholders progressively by 20%
- Perform country specific palliative and comprehensive care awareness activities in at least 24 countries, bringing in new country partners
- Use mass mailings and the website to interact with partners and APCA's growing membership
- Develop and translate key palliative care awareness information to French, Arabic and Portuguese
- Engage palliative care champions and ambassadors
- Define and share the extent of the controlled essential medicines crisis in Africa as it differs from the abuse/misuse crisis in the West
Digital First Approach
To minimise requirements for financial resources, the implementation of most strategies depends heavily on use of electronic channels rather than face to face activities. APCA continues to invest in Internet accessibility and digital platforms to engage remotely with key partners and national palliative care associations.
💻 Virtual Conferences
Convene virtual triennial African palliative care conferences, building attendance and attracting new stakeholders progressively by 20%. Most events hosted virtually to reduce costs and the need for travel.
📱 Social Media Engagement
Leverage electronic platforms and social media to reach and engage stakeholders. APCA has expanded social media following significantly, using these channels for real time engagement and information dissemination.
🌐 Digital Resources
Use of mass mailings and the website to interact with partners and APCA's growing membership. Digital platforms ensure information reaches remote areas without expensive travel or material shipping costs.
Investment in Technology
APCA will continue to invest in its Internet accessibility and digital platforms in order to engage remotely with key partners and national palliative care associations, particularly in countries where in person engagement is challenging due to geography or resource constraints.
Advocacy & Policy Engagement
APCA redevelops and refines its advocacy strategy to engage decision makers at the highest levels. This includes technical assistance with ministries of health, parliamentary engagement, and positioning palliative care within Universal Health Coverage frameworks.
🏛️ Ministerial Sessions
Host Ministers of Health palliative care sessions once every three years to advocate for palliative and comprehensive chronic care in the context of policy environment improvements. These high level engagements use digital platforms to ensure broad participation.
📋 Technical Assistance
Facilitate technical assistance meetings with ministries of health, parliaments, regional legislative assemblies, and health research commissions. Support evidence based national policy reviews and development of palliative care related policies.
⚖️ Legal & Human Rights
Support the introduction and integration of legal and human rights work in palliative and comprehensive chronic care services. Link these services to patient packages at hospices, hospitals and home based services.
💊 Medicines Access
Define and share the extent of the controlled essential medicines crisis in Africa as it differs from the abuse/misuse crisis in the West. Advocate for revision of national legislation and policies for controlled medicines to improve access while preventing diversion.
Tailored Information Strategy
Increasing knowledge requires understanding what each audience needs to know to take action. APCA develops tailored packaging of information for each stakeholder level, ensuring messages are appropriate for the specific context and needs of different groups.
Government & Policymakers
Evidence that palliative care is cost effective and essential for UHC; WHA Resolution 67.19 implementation guidance; policy frameworks and data on serious health related suffering burden.
Health Workers & Educators
Pre service curriculum integration guidelines; pain assessment and opioid prescribing competencies; communication and psychosocial support skills.
Patients & Families
Understanding palliative care starts at diagnosis, not death; knowledge of rights to pain relief; navigation of available services in local contexts.
Health System Leaders
Integration models for PHC and UHC; service delivery frameworks; HMIS indicators; financing mechanisms and budget advocacy tools.
Academic Institutions
Core curricula for health worker training; research priorities; accreditation standards; evidence based clinical guidelines.
Civil Society & NGOs
Advocacy tools; partnership frameworks; community engagement strategies; beneficiary involvement mechanisms.
Media & General Public
Public awareness campaigns; myth busting about opioids; stories of palliative care impact; cultural sensitivity messaging.
Regional & Global Bodies
Alignment with SDGs and UHC 2030; WHA resolution implementation; African Union Common Position advocacy; cross border collaboration frameworks.
Language & Cultural Access
APCA recognises that limited materials are translated to cover Francophone, Lusophone, and Arabic speaking audiences. The strategic plan prioritises translation and cultural adaptation to ensure accessibility across the continent.
🗣️ Multilingual Resources
Develop and translate key palliative care awareness information to French, Arabic and Portuguese. This ensures accessibility for non English speaking populations across North, West, and Central Africa.
🎯 Contextual Messaging
Palliative care health messaging addresses COVID 19 and other infectious diseases for palliative care providers, families and other stakeholders. Messaging clarifies myths about opioid use and distinguishes between Western insurance based models and African comprehensive care approaches.
🌍 Country Specific Activities
Perform country specific palliative and comprehensive care awareness activities in at least 24 countries, bringing in new country partners. These activities are adapted to local cultural contexts and health system structures.
Champions & Ambassadors
APCA engages palliative care champions and ambassadors to amplify awareness messages. This includes disease survivors, health workers, policymakers, and community leaders who can speak authentically about the impact of palliative care.
⭐ Palliative Care Champions
Engage palliative care champions and ambassadors who can advocate for the cause at national and regional levels. These include clinicians who have seen the transformative impact of palliative care, and patients and families who have benefited from services.
🎤 Beneficiary Voices
Support patients, families and people with palliative care needs in survivorship adherence and engagement. Engage disease survivors and people with palliative care needs in the development of user centric services and awareness campaigns.
Cross Cutting Strategies
The following areas are captured under cross cutting strategies that inform all awareness work: Advocacy at all levels and with all stakeholders; Universal Health Coverage and SDGs (especially SDG 3); Beneficiary involvement; Gender equity; Human rights; Key populations including children, older persons, refugees, displaced populations; Poverty and its effect on access; and Disease prevention messaging.