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.
Close the Gap: Children's Palliative Care in the SWANA Region
Join us for our second regional webinar, bringing together leading voices in paediatric palliative care to explore the challenges, innovations, and opportunities for improving children's end-of-life care across the SWANA region. The session will address access gaps, clinical practice, cultural considerations, and what we can do together as a regional community.
Sunday, October 12, 2026 | Online | Open to all SWANA members and colleagues
Who We Are
About SWANA
The South-West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) Palliative Care Association is a professional and advocacy body dedicated to advancing palliative and end-of-life care across one of the world's most diverse and underserved regions.
The SWANA region is home to more than 600 million people spanning more than 20 countries, each with distinct languages, cultures, healthcare systems, and challenges. Despite this diversity, our communities share a common need: compassionate, dignified care for people facing serious illness and their families.
SWANA was founded by a community of dedicated practitioners and advocates who recognised that regional collaboration, shared knowledge, and collective advocacy are essential to building sustainable palliative care systems across the region.
The SWANA Region
Our association represents and serves practitioners, institutions, and patients across Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the UAE, Yemen, and neighbouring countries.
This is a region of extraordinary richness — in culture, language, history, and human resilience. It is also a region where palliative care services remain underdeveloped, where suffering from serious illness is often inadequately addressed, and where much work remains to be done.
Our Purpose
Mission, Vision & Values
Mission
To convene and connect palliative care stakeholders across the SWANA region, build regional capacity, advance evidence-based practice, and advocate for the integration of palliative care into health systems — ensuring compassionate, culturally sensitive care for all who need it.
Vision
A region where every person facing serious illness and every family has access to high-quality, culturally grounded, compassionate palliative care — as a recognised and protected right.
Values
Compassion, dignity, cultural humility, equity, collaboration, evidence-based practice, and a commitment to the voices of patients and families.
Strategic Priorities
Regional Networking
Building a connected community of palliative care professionals, educators, and advocates across the region.
Education & Training
Developing and delivering culturally adapted educational programmes, webinars, and professional development resources.
Research & Evidence
Promoting regional research, sharing evidence-based practices, and building a knowledge base tailored to SWANA contexts.
Policy & Advocacy
Advocating for palliative care integration in national health policies, essential medicines access, and recognition at regional and international levels.
Capacity Building
Supporting institutions and healthcare systems to develop sustainable palliative care services across the region.
Public Awareness
Raising awareness among the public, policymakers, and health systems about the importance of palliative care.
Become a Member
Join SWANA NEW
We welcome palliative care professionals, researchers, educators, students, and advocates from across the SWANA region and beyond. Complete the form below to express your interest in joining our growing community.
Webinars & Events
Events & Webinars
SWANA hosts regular webinars bringing together palliative care professionals from across the region to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices.
Upcoming
Past Events
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.