Palliative care for all,
everywhere in our region.
SWANA is a regional association connecting palliative care practitioners, educators, researchers, and advocates across the South-West Asia & North Africa region to advance equitable, high-quality, culturally grounded care.
About SWANA
A regional voice for palliative care
The South-West Asia & North Africa (SWANA) Palliative Care Association is a newly established regional professional body dedicated to advancing palliative care across a diverse and under-resourced region.
Bringing together clinicians, educators, researchers, and policy advocates, SWANA serves as a convening platform — fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and amplifying the voices of those working to ensure dignified, compassionate care for people experiencing serious illness.
We are currently in our founding phase, shaping the structure, governance, and priorities of the association with direct input from palliative care leaders across the region. Your voice matters in this process.
SWANA sits alongside and in partnership with global organisations dedicated to advancing palliative care worldwide.
Our Region
The SWANA region spans North Africa, the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of South-West Asia — a culturally rich and diverse area where palliative care need is significant and growing, yet access remains deeply inequitable.
SWANA is built on the belief that regional solidarity, shared knowledge, and culturally grounded approaches are essential to changing this reality.
Who We Are
Mission, Vision & Values
Mission
To convene and connect palliative care practitioners, educators, researchers, advocates, and partners across the SWANA region — strengthening collaboration, sharing knowledge, and advancing equitable, high-quality, culturally grounded care for people experiencing serious health-related suffering.
Vision
A connected and empowered regional palliative care community working together to ensure palliative care for all, everywhere across the South-West Asia & North Africa region.
Values
SWANA is guided by compassion, cultural integrity, collaboration, equity, and advocacy. We value regional voices, shared leadership, mutual learning, and respect for the cultural and spiritual contexts of care.
Strategic Priorities
Education & Training
Regional exchange of curricula, training models, and research to promote shared learning and culturally grounded approaches.
Access to Essential Medicines
Supporting national and regional efforts to improve access to opioids and essential palliative care medicines through balanced regulatory approaches.
Advocacy & Public Awareness
Community-led advocacy to reduce stigma, challenge misconceptions, and amplify the lived experiences of patients and families.
Quality & Standards of Care
Promoting evidence-based, culturally grounded, and spiritually informed guidelines and care models tailored to the region.
Regional Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing
Facilitating partnerships among countries, institutions, NGOs, and experts to accelerate progress and share best practices.
Leadership Development
Cultivating emerging leaders through development opportunities, networking, and visibility within regional and global forums.
Workforce Development
Facilitating mentorship networks, faculty exchange, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities across countries and institutions.
Get in Touch
Contact & Connect
We'd love to hear from you
Whether you're a palliative care professional interested in joining, an institution exploring partnership, or a colleague with questions about SWANA — please reach out.