As Malaysia moves closer to becoming an ageing nation, the need for comprehensive and compassionate palliative care has never been more urgent. In conjunction with the 10th Voices for Hospices Gala Dinner, Hospis Malaysia is renewing its commitment to ensuring that every Malaysian—regardless of age, income, or background—has access to dignified, patient-centred palliative care.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only 14% of people globally who need palliative care actually receive it. While countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore have integrated palliative care into their national healthcare systems, Malaysia still faces major gaps.
Every year, it’s estimated that 100,000 Malaysians require palliative care, yet only one in ten can access it. By 2030, this number could rise to 240,000 patients annually, creating an urgent need for greater support, awareness, and resources in both the public and private sectors.
Hospis Malaysia: A Legacy of Compassion Since 1991
Since its establishment in 1991, Hospis Malaysia has been the nation’s leading provider of community and home-based palliative care.
With a team of dedicated doctors, nurses, therapists, and counsellors, the organisation conducts over 11,000 home visits and makes 27,000 follow-up calls annually. Their mission is simple yet profound — to bring comfort, dignity, and humanity to patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses.
“Palliative care is no longer optional — it is essential healthcare,” says Dato’ Kathleen Chew, Chairman of Hospis Malaysia. “It’s about ensuring that no patient suffers needlessly and that no caregiver feels abandoned. What Hospis Malaysia has achieved shows what’s possible — now we must make it the standard for every Malaysian family.”
She further explains that palliative care isn’t about giving up hope, but rather embracing comfort, dignity, and emotional support. It’s about helping families find strength in the midst of illness, reducing suffering, and preserving peace even in life’s most difficult moments.
“When families see their loved ones suffer needlessly, the pain doesn’t end when they pass,” Dato’ Kathleen adds. “Palliative care helps ease that pain and brings healing to those left behind.”
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is often misunderstood as “end-of-life care,” but Dr. Ednin Hamzah, Chief Executive Officer of Hospis Malaysia, explains that it is far more holistic.
“Palliative care is about helping patients live as fully and comfortably as possible while managing serious illnesses,” he says. “It’s not limited to cancer. We also support patients with heart, lung, kidney, liver diseases, AIDS, and progressive neurological conditions such as motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, and dementia.”
The focus is on relieving symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, fatigue, and anxiety, while also supporting families in making informed medical decisions. Palliative care can be given alongside curative treatments, from the early stages of illness — not just at the end of life.
Delivered by a multidisciplinary team, this approach helps patients stay comfortable and, whenever possible, allows them to remain at home surrounded by their loved ones.
“It’s about managing illness, controlling pain, easing distress, and restoring quality to the time people have — however long that may be,” Dr. Ednin explains. “Our mission extends beyond treating patients; we’re also building Malaysia’s capacity to deliver palliative care at every level of the healthcare system.”
Hospis Malaysia currently trains nearly 1,000 healthcare professionals and medical students every year, empowering them with the knowledge and empathy needed to provide patient-centred care.
The Voices for Hospices Gala: A Promise of Dignity
The upcoming 10th Voices for Hospices Gala Dinner, themed “A Promise of Dignity, United in Care,” is more than a fundraising event — it’s a movement for change.
The gala will bring together leaders, philanthropists, and advocates, including Yang Amat Mulia Tengku Datin Paduka Zatashah binti Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and YBhg. Dato’ Kathleen Chew.
The evening will feature a heartfelt sharing session by family advocate Puan Norra Ismail, a musical performance by Atilia Haron, and a charity auction in support of Hospis Malaysia’s ongoing work.
“Every contribution matters,” Dr. Ednin notes. “Each donation means another patient is visited, another nurse is trained, another family receives care. This is how we build a Malaysia where palliative care is not a privilege — but a right.”
Proceeds from the gala will go toward expanding community-based palliative care, training healthcare professionals, and strengthening the national framework to ensure every Malaysian, regardless of circumstance, can experience comfort and dignity at the end of life.
Compassion in Action: A Shared Promise
As Malaysia navigates the challenges of an ageing society, Hospis Malaysia continues to lead the charge in shaping a more compassionate healthcare future. Palliative care is not just about medicine — it’s about humanity.
By embedding palliative care into the national health system, Malaysia can ensure that no patient faces illness alone, and no family carries the burden without support.
Hospis Malaysia’s mission is clear: to turn compassion into action, and to make the promise of dignity a reality for every Malaysian.
For more information about palliative care, Hospis Malaysia, or to join the Gala, please visit https://hospismalaysia.org/voicesforhospices-16oct2025/
Keywords:
- palliative care Malaysia,
- Hospis Malaysia,
- palliative healthcare,
- Voices for Hospices,
- Malaysian healthcare,
- compassionate care,
- end-of-life support
