On the occasion of the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, Dr. Rana Yamout, director of the Palliative and Supportive Care Program at the Naef K. Basile Cancer Institute at AUBMC, led a National Palliative Care Conference on Saturday, October 28, 2023 @ 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the Halim and Aida Daniel ACC building, AUBMC.

AUB President Dr. Fadlo Khuri attended the official launch of the Lebanese Palliative Care Society and a roundtable discussion entitled “Different Spiritual and Religious Considerations at End-of-Life”, featuring various religious figures and their related perspectives. The discussion was moderated by media professional, Mrs. Rima Karaki.

Attendees had the opportunity to engage in interactive sessions, workshops, and panel discussions that facilitated a deeper understanding of the challenges unique to the Lebanese healthcare system.

By fostering a shared understanding and promoting collaboration, the conference empowered healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance the quality of palliative care, particularly concerning the spiritual dimensions of end-of-life experiences.

Dying with dignity isn’t just about physical comfort; it’s also about finding inner peace and spiritual fulfillment as we approach the end of life. – Unknown

Program Overview

This conference is an interdisciplinary activity that brings together all Palliative Care stakeholders in Lebanon to raise awareness about the importance of Palliative Care for patients living with chronic illnesses as well as to identify gaps and challenges facing the Palliative Care discipline and put together a plan of action.

During the conference, we will shed the light about the importance of dying in dignity. The conference will focus on the role of spirituality in palliative care and the challenges faced by the Lebanese healthcare professionals in addressing this dimension.

The conference will be held in collaboration with the National Lebanese Palliative Care Society and the Lebanese Association of Palliative Care Nurses.

For the detailed program please click here​​.

Objectives

By the end of this conference, healthcare professionals will be able to:

1. Describe the current status of Palliative Care services at the hospital and community levels in Lebanon
2. Identify gaps for better provision of Palliative Care in Lebanon.
3. Develop a clear action plan to address these gaps
4. Recognize the value of dying in dignity and the role of Palliative Care in achieving this goal

Date and Venue

The conference will be held on October 28, 2023 at the Multipurpose rooms in the Halim and Aida Daniel ACC building, AUBMC, Beirut, Lebanon.

Target Audience

This activity is designed for healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, and other clinicians) who might be interested in improving their clinical practice related to the provision of care for patients with serious illnesses.