Paalam - The Bridge to Humanity (PBH) is an Australian registered not-for-profit charity born from the hearts of healthcare professionals, community leaders, and like-minded volunteers who came together with one shared hope: that every person living with a life-limiting illness should be cared for with compassion, dignity, and respect, no matter their background, culture, or where they call home.
Our journey began with a deeply human realisation. Even as medicine continues to advance, too many people still face unnecessary suffering simply because they cannot access quality palliative and end-of-life care. This need is especially felt among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Australia and in resource-limited regions such as Sri Lanka and regional India, where families often carry the burden of illness with too little support.
PBH was created to help close these gaps through awareness, education, advocacy, and access to palliative care. Today, in response to the significant gap in stem cell registration among CALD communities, we are also working to improve stem cell registration and cancer screening within these communities in Australia. Alongside health professionals, hospitals, governments, community organisations, volunteers, and international partners, we are building programs that not only support patients, but also bring comfort and hope to their families.
Our work is about far more than building facilities. We believe true palliative care honours the whole person - relieving suffering that is physical, emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual. Through education, community engagement, partnerships, and capacity building, we strive to make compassionate care a reality for everyone who needs it.
Our first international flagship project is ARAVANAI, the End-of-Life Care Unit at Base Hospital Tellipalai in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. More than a ward, it is a promise of dignity, comfort, and care, and the beginning of a wider movement to transform palliative care services across the region.
We exist so that no one facing serious illness is left without the information, support, and compassionate care they need to live and die with dignity.
In Australia, PBH works closely with multicultural communities to deepen understanding of palliative care, helping individuals and families face serious illness with knowledge, confidence, and dignity. We are also committed to improving stem cell registration and cancer screening among CALD communities, recognising how early detection and life-saving donor availability can change, and even save, lives.
At PBH, we believe compassion knows no borders. Every bridge we build carries hope, comfort, and humanity to those walking through life's most difficult journey.
Paalam means "bridge" across several South Asian languages.
When we build bridges of compassion, we create a future where every person can live - and die - with dignity, comfort and hope.
Health professionals and community members across Australia and South Asia who volunteer their expertise and time. No one draws a salary.
As a dedicated Medical Oncologist with extensive experience and a strong passion for improving the quality of life of individuals living with incurable illnesses, Ganes leads the PBH team and its mission to improve palliative and healthcare services across South Asia.
As a renowned allied health professional with over twenty years of experience as an Anaesthetist, Senthan draws on his extensive experience working in both Sri Lanka and Australia to help bridge knowledge and healthcare service gaps within communities with the greatest need.
As a Senior Palliative Care Physician with extensive international experience spanning more than five countries, Raj brings a wealth of knowledge to shaping the palliative care support and training provided by PBH, with a strong focus on cultural sensitivity and community needs.
With a professional background spanning Engineering and Management, Kuga is passionate about giving back to the community and has been involved with numerous charitable and not-for-profit organisations locally and internationally. He brings his extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector to support PBH's mission and sustainable growth.
As a Radiation Oncology Medical Physics Specialist and Committee Member of PBH, Ravi is dedicated to enhancing quality of life and ensuring dignified care for terminally ill patients and their families, particularly within underserved communities. With a strong passion for health equity, he plays an important role in strengthening PBH's outreach and engagement with Indigenous communities.
As Public Relations Officer and Committee Member of PBH, Senthan is focused on communicating the impact of PBH's work and creating opportunities for the community to get involved. With experience across corporate organisations and creative agency start-ups, he brings his expertise in communications and new media strategies to strengthen PBH's profile, reach and community engagement.
As an IT professional and Committee Member of PBH, Prasha is passionate about advancing initiatives that support women, children and vulnerable communities. She brings her strengths in event coordination and marketing to foster community engagement, raise awareness and support PBH's humanitarian mission through meaningful initiatives and collaborative partnerships.
As an experienced Events Coordinator and Committee Member of PBH, Rukshika is passionate about supporting every child's right to education. With a professional background in banking, sales and finance, she brings strong organisational and people skills to creating meaningful events, strengthening community connections and supporting PBH's mission.
As Digital & Technology Lead and Committee Member of PBH, Shashi brings a strong background in Engineering and Project Management. He draws on his experience in ICT solution delivery, PMO governance and enterprise workflow design across government and complex sectors to strengthen PBH's digital capabilities, operating processes and healthcare outreach.
