The gala, with the theme “A Promise of Dignity, United in Care,” brought together healthcare leaders, philanthropists, families, and advocates to celebrate the organisation’s 34-year legacy and call for stronger national action on community-based palliative care.

Kathleen Chew, chairman of Hospis Malaysia, said the new identity reflects the organisation’s evolution from serving only terminally-ill patients to providing inclusive, holistic support for individuals and families across all stages of serious illness.

“By 2030, a quarter of a million Malaysians annually will require palliative care. The numbers tell a sobering story. Not of despair, but of urgency,” she said in her speech.

“We are rapidly approaching, and there is perhaps no other way to put it, a crisis of palliative care. We need more trained healthcare workers, better community engagement, and improved access to essential medicines. Centring care only in tertiary hospitals will not be enough.”

Chew also said Hospis Malaysia is aligned with the goals outlined in the 2026 budget, supporting government initiatives to expand community-based services, reduce hospital congestion, and improve access to quality care nationwide.

Tengku Zatashah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who was the guest of honour at the gala, praised Hospis Malaysia’s role in promoting compassionate care.

“Palliative care should never be seen as a last resort, but as an essential part of living well until the end,” she said in her speech.

The evening also featured a heartfelt testimony from Norra Ismail, mother of the late Tijani Batrisyia, who credited Hospis Malaysia with providing care that allowed her daughter to spend her final days at home, surrounded by family and dignity.

Funds raised from the biennial gala will directly support patient services, expand training programmes, and strengthen advocacy efforts to embed palliative care within Malaysia’s healthcare system.