A Lancaster researcher has received an international Community Building award from Public Health Palliative Care International (PHPCI) for his work in founding a charity in Ghana.

Dr Yakubu Salifu, Lecturer in Palliative Care at the International Observatory on End-of-Life Care (IOELC), co-founded COMPASS-Ghana in 2022 to develop a culturally inclusive, community-led approach to palliative and end-of-life care. Working with the IOELC, local hospitals, healthcare professionals, traditional leaders, faith communities and academic partners, the organisation combines clinical support with community education, workforce development and bereavement care.

The award was presented at the 9th Public Health Palliative Care International Conference (PHPCI) in Taiwan, recognising COMPASS-Ghana’s work in strengthening community capacity to support people living with serious illness and their families in resource-limited settings. The award committee confirmed that the decision to select COMPASS-Ghana was unanimous.

Dr Salifu said: “This award celebrates a shared commitment and recognises COMPASS-Ghana’s commitment to ensuring that communities are not simply recipients of care, but active partners in shaping and delivering compassionate support. This recognition highlights the importance of partnerships in making compassionate care more accessible, culturally inclusive and sustainable."

The award also reflects Lancaster University’s commitment to engagement, international collaboration and global impact through partnerships that address societal challenges and improve lives across borders.

In low-resource communities in Ghana, the lack of palliative care means that patients with life-limiting illnesses are too often left to die an isolated, painful and undignified death.

• 86%: of the Ghanaian population are without access to meaningful palliative and end-of-life care
• 63: Average age of death
• 5: Average number of days from a patient’s referral to a palliative team to their death
• 48%: of the population have no National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) or other medical health insurance provision who must pay out of pocket for their care, medicines and pain relief.
• 30%: of the population are facing significant journeys, often on foot, to their local hospital

To date, the charity has supported more than 167 patients and family beneficiaries, reached seven districts across Ghana’s Ashanti Region, and trained more than 80 healthcare professionals. Building on this progress, the charity plans to expand its whole-system, hub-based approach to other parts of Ghana where access to palliative and end-of-life care remains limited and the need for support is greatest.