PACED Leadership School in Kyrgyzstan: Where Paths Converge
Bishkek, 2–4 December 2025
In December, Bishkek became a hub for palliative care leaders from across the regions. Over three days, the city hosted the PACED Leadership School—an international educational programme focused on leadership development, systemic thinking, and sustainable approaches to palliative care.
The School was held at Novotel Bishkek in strategic partnership with the Kyrgyz Association of Palliative and Hospice Care. It gathered professionals and decision-makers from nine countries: Georgia, Armenia, Mongolia, Belarus, Serbia, Latvia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
The School was held at Novotel Bishkek in strategic partnership with the Kyrgyz Association of Palliative and Hospice Care. It gathered professionals and decision-makers from nine countries: Georgia, Armenia, Mongolia, Belarus, Serbia, Latvia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Government, Leadership and Responsibility
Day One: What Defines a Leader—and Why Systems Require Them
It is a rare privilege to learn from such individuals here and now.
The programme began with an overview of palliative care across PACED countries and discussions of their national contexts. Participants shared both achievements and ongoing challenges—such as workforce shortages, funding issues, access to pain relief, and home-based care. The focus then shifted to leadership—not as a position, but as an internal attitude. During the session on transformational leadership, participants reflected on their own skills, identified areas for development, and articulated their professional goals.
‘We discussed leaders who shaped us—and many of them are in this room today. It is a rare privilege to learn from such individuals here and now,’ said Roman Sklotsky, Managing Director of PACED.
A dedicated advocacy module, led by Dr Odontuya Davaasuren (Mongolia), explored systemic errors and practical strategies for change. Through role-plays and simulations, participants practised negotiation and advocacy skills on issues ranging from access to opioid analgesics to organising palliative care at the policy level.
‘We discussed leaders who shaped us—and many of them are in this room today. It is a rare privilege to learn from such individuals here and now,’ said Roman Sklotsky, Managing Director of PACED.
A dedicated advocacy module, led by Dr Odontuya Davaasuren (Mongolia), explored systemic errors and practical strategies for change. Through role-plays and simulations, participants practised negotiation and advocacy skills on issues ranging from access to opioid analgesics to organising palliative care at the policy level.
Day Two: Practice and Collaborative Solutions
| On the second day, participants visited three palliative care centres in Bishkek: the Republican Rehabilitation Centre, the Umut Uyu Social Residential Facility, and the Palliative Care Unit of the National Centre for Oncology and Haematology. These site visits laid a foundation for further work. During the project laboratory, mixed international teams analysed the root causes of key challenges in palliative care and developed realistic, context-sensitive solutions. Discussions focused on workforce development, education and training, quality of pain management, mobile teams, and integration of services into national health systems. The focus was not on idealised models but on approaches that can practically be implemented within current resources and political realities. |
Day Three: Education, Clinical Cases, and Mutual Learning
PACED is a bridge where many roads meet.
The final day centred on education. Professor Nicoleta Mitrea (Romania) discussed designing effective educational programmes and encouraged participants to consider their roles as learners, educators, and leaders simultaneously. A clinical case session showcased real-life examples from several countries, fostering discussion on ethical dilemmas, cultural contexts, communication with families, and the work of mobile palliative care teams.
‘Morphine is the same everywhere. A good psychologist is rare. Find the people from whom your palliative care tree will grow,’ said Dr Yahyo Ziyaev, oncologist and one of the leaders of the palliative care movement in Uzbekistan.
The programme concluded with a panel discussion where participants talked not only about challenges but also about connection and shared purpose.
‘PACED is a bridge where many roads meet. Each of our countries follows its own path, but on this bridge we can see and hear one another,’ reflected Taalaigul Sabyrbekova, Co-Chair of the Kyrgyz Association of Palliative and Hospice Care.
‘Morphine is the same everywhere. A good psychologist is rare. Find the people from whom your palliative care tree will grow,’ said Dr Yahyo Ziyaev, oncologist and one of the leaders of the palliative care movement in Uzbekistan.
The programme concluded with a panel discussion where participants talked not only about challenges but also about connection and shared purpose.
‘PACED is a bridge where many roads meet. Each of our countries follows its own path, but on this bridge we can see and hear one another,’ reflected Taalaigul Sabyrbekova, Co-Chair of the Kyrgyz Association of Palliative and Hospice Care.
A Space of Trust
The Leadership School in Bishkek was more than just an educational event. It became a space of trust, professional dialogue, and mutual support—a place where not only knowledge and skills were developed, but also a community was strengthened.
It's meetings like these that remind professionals they are not alone, that their work is meaningful and supported, and that systemic change can be achieved when we progress together.
It's meetings like these that remind professionals they are not alone, that their work is meaningful and supported, and that systemic change can be achieved when we progress together.