The genesis of the umbrella body began in Penang when the Hospice at Home Programme hosted a two day scientific meeting in 1996. Representatives from seven of the then eight hospice services in the country attended. At this meeting it was proposed to form a body to be the voice for hospice in Malaysia and a pro-tem committee was set up. Models that were looked at were Singapore and Australia. The drafting of a constitution took time as all the hospice services had to be consulted. One issue that came up was the name of the organisation – hospice or palliative with the majority favouring hospice. While progress was being made it was time (1997) for another scientific meeting and this was hosted by the Rotary Hospice Programme Johore. By 1998, the draft constitution was ready.

 

The inaugural general meeting was held at Genting Highlands on 18 October 1998 hosted by Hospice Klang along with a scientific meeting. Since then meetings have been held biennially in Kuala Lumpur (2000 – organised by Hospis Malaysia), Ipoh (2002 – organised by the Perak Palliative Care Society), Malacca (2004 – organised by Hospice Malacca), Kota Kinabalu (2006 – organised by the Palliative Care Association of Kota Kinabalu), and in 2008 Penang ( 2008 - organised by the Hospice at Home Programme of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia, Penang Branch and the Penang Hospice Society).