Our Evidence Approach
Generating African-led research to integrate palliative care into health systems and Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
The APCA Research Ecosystem
APCA employs a health systems strengthening approach aligned with WHO building blocks and Strategic Objective 3 of our 2020-2030 Plan. Over 45 research projects implemented across 8 countries have generated 200+ peer-reviewed publications in journals including The Lancet Global Health and BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care.
🔬 The APCA Research Network (APCRN)
A 400-member open-access community spanning researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and patients generating African data on palliative care.
- 6 Regional Research Hubs (East, West, North, Southern Africa)
- 10 Special Interest Groups: Digital health (m-health), health economics, spirituality, primary healthcare, education, access to essential controlled medicines, creative arts, outcomes measurement, and methodological approaches
- South-to-South & North-to-South research partnerships (King's College London, University of Leeds, University of Cape Town)
- Virtual research webinars and annual research meetings
📊 Innovative Outcome Measurement
Developing and validating tools specifically for African contexts to drive quality improvement:
- APCA C-POS: African Children's Palliative Care Outcome Scale—first developed in Africa, now available in 7 versions, used on over 2,000 children across Uganda, and adapted for use in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East
- mPalliative App: Digital platform developed with University of Leeds for remote symptom monitoring and real-time clinician dashboards
- APCA Atlas 2025: Updated mapping of 54 countries using 14 WHO indicators for palliative care development, launched at the 8th International Conference
- Decision Support Tools for integrating outcome measures into routine clinical practice
🎓 Capacity Building Pipeline
Strengthening African research leadership through mentorship and training:
- Cohort Academic Development Award (CADA): Pre-conference workshops for early-career researchers in partnership with King's College London and Global Health and Palliative Care (GHAP)
- 25 Research Mentorships: Including 6 PhD students, 9 Masters students, and 10 interns supported to date
- 4 regional research workshops attended by 192 participants
- Research sub-grants from international partners to African institutions
- Focus on 60% women and 70% LMIC-based researchers
🏛️ Centre of Research and Excellence
Launched in September 2025 at the 8th International Conference in Botswana, the Centre serves as a regional hub for:
- Implementation science in palliative and chronic care
- Knowledge translation and evidence communication
- Digital health innovation and AI applications
- Paediatric and adolescent palliative care research
- Health systems strengthening and UHC evidence generation
- African-led publication pathways and grey literature repository
Strategic Research Priority Areas (2025-2030)
Aligned with Strategic Objective 3 of the APCA 2020-2030 Strategic Plan and the Gaborone Declaration commitments
1. Implementation Science
Integration of palliative care into PHC, oncology, HIV, and NCD programmes; health systems strengthening through WHO building blocks.
2. Medicines Access & Policy
Supply-chain analysis for oral liquid morphine, opioid reconstitution models, and regulatory frameworks for controlled medicines.
3. Paediatric & Adolescent Care
APCA C-POS psychometric validation, transition pathways, and symptom burden assessment for children and young people.
4. Health Economics & Financing
Cost-utility studies for UHC integration; budget-impact analysis; sustainable financing models for palliative care.
5. Humanitarian & Climate Crises
Care models for displaced populations, emergency preparedness, and palliative care in epidemic response (Ebola, COVID-19).
6. Digital & AI Innovations
Tele-palliative care, mobile health platforms, GIS service mapping, and AI-supported clinical decision-making.
Research Partners & Collaborations
APCA has cultivated 29 strategic research partnerships across 13 academic institutions, 4 hospices, and 12 tertiary hospitals. Our collaborative network spans Africa, Europe, North America, and beyond, ensuring rigorous, context-appropriate research that informs policy and practice.
🏥 Clinical & Hospital Partners
- Mulago National Specialised Hospital (Uganda)
- Uganda Cancer Institute
- Mildmay Uganda Hospital
- Kawempe Home Care (Uganda)
- Kawempe Referral Hospital
- St Francis Nsambya Hospital
- Kiruddu Referral Hospital
- St Francis Naggalama Hospital
- Princess Marina Hospital (Botswana)
- Groote Schuur Hospital (South Africa)
- Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital (Eswatini)
- Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital (Ethiopia)
🌍 International Research Institutions
- King's College London (UK) – C-POS development & CADA
- University of Leeds (UK) – mPalliative app development
- University of Birmingham (UK)
- Queens University Belfast (UK)
- University of Navarra (Spain) – APCA Atlas
- Rand Corporation (USA) – Cervical cancer prevention
- St Jude Children's Research Hospital (USA)
- University of Notre Dame (USA) – Internship programme
- NIHR (UK) – C-POS integration research
- Global Health and Palliative Care (GHAP)
🏛️ African Universities & Colleges
- Makerere University (Uganda)
- University of Cape Town (South Africa)
- University of Ibadan (Nigeria)
- University of Zambia
- Moi University (Kenya)
- Gulu University (Uganda)
- Busitema University (Uganda)
- Uganda Christian University
- University of Ibadan (Nigeria)
- University of Livingstonia (Malawi)
- Comboni College of Science & Technology (Sudan)
🤝 Strategic & Funding Partners
- Global Partners in Care (GPIC) – Scholarships & internships
- Irish Hospice Foundation – Grief & bereavement research
- True Colours Trust – Photography initiative & service grants
- American Cancer Society – Medical physicist training
- Open Society - Africa
- Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
- East African Health Research Commission
- Palliative Care in Humanitarian Aid (PALCHASE)
- International Children's Palliative Care Network (ICPCN)
🏥 Hospice & Community Partners
- Hospice Africa Uganda
- Kitovu Mobile Hospice (Uganda)
- Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja (Uganda)
- Nairobi Hospice (Kenya)
- Kabale Christian Care (Uganda)
- Hands on Care (The Gambia)
- Hospice Ethiopia
- Tiny Tim and Friends (Zambia)
📋 Specialised Research Initiatives
- Game Change Initiative: Cervical cancer prevention with Rand Corporation, Makerere University, Uganda Cancer Institute
- ADAPT Study: Physicians' attitudes to paediatric palliative care with St Jude & Uganda Cancer Institute
- CALM Therapy: Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully with Irish Hospice Foundation
- SPARK Initiative: Decision-making with children facing advanced cancer (SIOP, St Jude)
- ProTECT: Quality indicators in end-of-life care for children with cancer
Cross-Continental Collaboration Impact
Our partnerships have enabled landmark achievements including the validation of the APCA C-POS across three continents, the training of 103 regional consultants on WHO indicators with University of Navarra, and the establishment of the NIHR-funded integration of outcome measures into routine care at Mulago Hospital.
Through the Cohort Academic Development Award (CADA), we partner with King's College London and GHAP to mentor the next generation of African researchers, with 60% women representation and 70% LMIC-based scholars.
Methodology & Standards
Ethics & Data Governance
All APCA-affiliated research adheres to the highest ethical standards and the APCA Research Network (APCRN) guidelines:
- IRB Approval: All studies secure national Institutional Review Board approval and APCRN scientific-review clearance
- Community Advisory Boards: Required for all patient-facing research to ensure cultural sensitivity and community ownership
- Patient Partnership: People with lived experience (including children and young people) central to research design, implementation, and evaluation—exemplified by our 25-member Young People's Advisory Group for Children's Palliative Care
- Quality Assurance: Research partnerships supervised by academic institutions including Makerere University, University of Cape Town, and King's College London
Knowledge Translation Strategy
APCA ensures research translates into policy and practice through:
Two-page evidence summaries delivered to parliaments, Ministries of Health, insurers, and WHO country offices
Translation of findings into actionable recommendations for national palliative care policies and UHC integration
The 8th International African Palliative Care Conference (2025) featured 93 peer-reviewed abstracts and the launch of the APCA Atlas 2025
Open access to webinar recordings, the APCA C-POS tool, grief and bereavement guidelines, and grey literature
Key Research Impact (2024-2025)
- Publication of the APCA Atlas of Palliative Care in Africa 2025 in partnership with University of Navarra, Spain
- Training of 103 regional consultants on WHO palliative care indicators
- Integration of the APCA C-POS into routine care at three demonstration sites in Uganda (Mulago National Specialised Hospital, Mildmay Uganda, Kawempe Home Care)
- Successful pilot of grief and bereavement intervention reaching 180 households in Uganda with statistically significant improvements in sleep quality and reduction in suicidal ideation (from 40.8% to 19.7%)
- Game Change Initiative for cervical cancer prevention reaching 2,076 vulnerable girls with HPV vaccination through palliative care providers
Join the African Palliative Care Research Network
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