The desire to die without suffering is a legitimate one that, fortunately, has an effective medical response in what we know as palliative care.
Carlos Centeno
Professor, Palliative Medicine, University of Navarra, Spain; Director, Department of Palliative Medicine, and specialist in radiation oncology, University of Navarra, Spain
As palliative care professionals, our aspiration is for the end of life to come peacefully and with effective relief from suffering, in a natural and respectful manner with minimal intervention or technology. The fear of intolerable suffering at the end of life is something that is present in society. Beyond fear, the desire to die without suffering is a legitimate one that, fortunately, has an effective medical response in what we know as palliative care. If we witness intolerable suffering in the last days of life, we can turn to palliative sedation, a sedation that is not related to euthanasia but to good medical practice.
As health professionals in general and palliative care specialists in particular, we do not remain indifferent to unrelieved suffering. On the contrary, we strive to the fullest extent possible, organize a team around the patient, gather resources, seek the help of others, give our best, and, always, are there. We stay there, next to the patient, because we feel that our presence is a vehicle of relief. We could say that healing, relief from deep suffering, comes through us, as long as we stay there, present with the patient and their loved ones.
Watch with Me: Inspiration for a life in hospice and palliative care1 is the title and subtitle of a wonderful little book that recounts the beginnings of the modern hospice movement. When we talk about euthanasia or assisted suicide, we are speaking a different language. Euthanasia implies violence, lack of relief, and intervention. With euthanasia, we do not speak of "staying there," we do not try to watch over anyone: we speak of ending abruptly, of making a quick exit. That is not palliative care. Palliative care allows us to remain with the patient, without rush or pressure, offering relief and companionship. In short, palliative care not only relieves physical and emotional suffering, but also provides comfort and spiritual support at the end of life.
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How your gift supports the IAHPC mission
Achieved: $24,941
Goal: $30,000
83%
Education
Your gift funds the operational costs of our online courses taught by globally recognized experts who volunteer their time and provide educational resources relevant to palliative care topics. It also supports scholarships that enable palliative care workers to attend educational events and congresses, and allows us to maintain Pallipedia, the free, live, online dictionary.
The goal of this pillar is to implement strategies, resources and tools that will improve the competencies of the global workforce for appropriate palliative care delivery. We have two programs under this pillar plus many other resources for our members.
Your gift enables us to build and strengthen the partnerships that accelerate global, regional, and national advocacy for palliative care. We advocate for its integration into primary health care under universal health coverage and effective access to essential palliative care medicines and packages for people of all ages. Your gift supports our work to prepare delegates and participate in technical consultation meetings of the relevant UN organizations.
The goal this pillar is the integration of palliative care into primary health care within the spectrum of universal coverage to improve access to adequate care for patients in need. We offer the following to our members:
Documents on Human Rights and Access to Medicines and Care
Research
Your gift enables us to continue doing research that provides guidance and recommendations for action, based on responses from the global palliative care community. Such research includes our recent evaluation of the impact of euthanasia and assisted dying practices on palliative care workers and the use of essential medicines for palliative care. It also supports the costs of publications focused on research relevant to palliative care.
The goal of this pillar is to design and implement projects that lead to the integration of palliative care into health policies, resolutions, and key documents. Our studies help us provide guidance and recommendations, and take action based on the responses from the global palliative care community.
Your membership enables you to participate in IAHPC projects such as the:
Your gift enables us to continue our in-depth reporting and book reviews in Pallinews, as well as media campaigns that raise awareness about the need to increase access to care and support for patients and families.
We are a small organization that allocates over 80% of our budget to mission driven programs and to the maintenance of our free website. We need operational funding to continue the work.
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IAHPC members: When you gift a 2-year membership to a colleague in a low- or middle-income country, we extend your membership by 6 months.
