By Maria Liza T. Naranjo, M.D. and Rhea Angelica Jayma, M.D.
After three years of persistence and collaboration, the Philippines has taken a major step toward establishing its first Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) Fellowship Training Program for pediatricians. On August 28, 2025, the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) met with the National Children’s Hospital (NCH) Pediatric Palliative Care Center to review the proposed two-year fellowship—marking a milestone in the country’s effort to develop pediatric palliative care as a recognized field of practice. The meeting brought together members of the PPS Executive Committee and Hospital Accreditation Board with the NCH PPC team, reflecting a shared recognition that Filipino children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions deserve access to pediatric specialists trained in palliative care.
From Early Challenges to a Collaborative Breakthrough
This renewed engagement followed an initial pitch in 2022, which provided valuable lessons and recommendations. The PPC team took this feedback seriously, turning early challenges into opportunities for growth. To strengthen academic foundations, faculty completed the University of Ottawa’s Collaborative Online Medical Education Training (COMET) and later the Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration (TWCC) Pediatric Palliative Care Leadership Training, deepening expertise in curriculum design, mentorship, and program development.
At the same time, the NCH PPC service expanded from a ward-based program for children with cancer at the end of life into a comprehensive service spanning inpatient, outpatient, and home-based care. With dedicated PPC nurses, social workers, and physicians ensuring continuity of care, the team cultivated a strong culture of interprofessional collaboration. As the service matured, it also evolved into a rich learning environment, offering the clinical breadth, teamwork, and community engagement essential for a fellowship program to grow and thrive.
By 2025, this growth had been translated into a structured, outcome-based fellowship curriculum organized around defined learning domains and measurable competencies. During the August 28 meeting, PPS received the proposal with receptiveness and encouragement, acknowledging its maturity and national relevance. For the PPC team, the meeting felt like a partnership—a sign that dialogue had evolved from advocacy to collaboration.
Momentum and Milestones
The August presentation built on the success of the 2nd Pediatric Palliative Care Symposium in July 2025, where PPS expressed public support for developing PPC as a dedicated training pathway. It also precedes the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) Congress in November 2025, where Philippine stakeholders will participate in global discussions on PPC education.
As of this time, the PPS Hospital Accreditation Board is reviewing the PPC Training Manual submitted on October 1, 2025, and the NCH team is awaiting their recommendations.
Sustaining the Vision
The NCH Executive Committee, led by Medical Director Dr. Philip Morales, has affirmed institutional support for creating fellowship positions and administrative structures to sustain the program. This alignment of academic, service, and institutional efforts underscores that developing a fellowship is not merely an educational initiative—it is a step toward health-system strengthening.
With PPS, DOH, WHO, TWCC, and the Philippine Society of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (PSHPM) now working together, the establishment of a national Pediatric Palliative Care Fellowship Training Program is no longer an aspiration but an emerging reality.
August 28, 2025 NCH PPC Team meeting with the Philippine Pediatric Society
Pitching the PPC Fellowship Program to the National Children’s Hospital Executive Committee
Multiple brainstorming meetings with the NCH PPC Team on PPC Training Manual Development
