We are very happy to announce great news for palliative care around the globe!
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published the new editions of the WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines for Children and Adults. The new editions include several changes, two of which are very important for the field of palliative care:
The lists of medicines for palliative care which were originally located under the oncology section (8.4) have been moved to a new, separate section (section 2) called Medicines for Pain and Palliative Care. The new section number 2 includes 3 subsections:
Non-opioids and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIMs)
Opioid Analgesics; and
Medicines for other symptoms common in palliative care.
Dr. Willem Scholten, consultant for the WHO, had submitted an application to move this section for the children's Model List with a request also to do the same for the adult List.
2. A list of medications used to treat the most common symptoms occurring in palliative care.
Last year IAHPC submitted to the WHO secretariat an application for the list of medicines for palliative care plus a request of the WHO Expert Committee to move the list out of the oncology section. Many thanks to Dr. Lukas Radbruch, our Chair-elect, and all the other members of the committee who worked hard in this process.
We are very happy with the results of the Expert Committee's work. The inclusion of the essential medicines for palliative care will help improve access to treatment for patients with life threatening conditions. This edition of the NL includes a copy of the press release which was sent out by IAHPC with the link to the list.
This month we will be adding a new section in the Newsletter which lists all the individuals who have received IAHPC grants. We believe they deserve public recognition for their efforts. Congratulations to all of them.
We also wish to congratulation Dr. Gayatri Palat, one of our board members, for the recent opening of an in-patient center/hospice in Hyderabad. Dr. Palat writes:
“Our NGO, the Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society, Hyderabad has started a new in-patient/ hospice Centre as an extension of its home care and outreach services. The setting up of this center completes our circle of care and will help us fulfill our mission of ensuring that every patient who is in pain has access to care. The center is a 25 bedded facility situated in a nice green place in the heart of the city This is one big step forward in our efforts toward improving the quality of life of those suffering from chronic pain and terminal illnesses.”
Remember that we are now on Facebook! Feel free to browse, leave comments and contact your colleagues and friends in palliative care through our page here.
During this time of the year many of our colleagues around the globe celebrate their vacation as a reward for the hard work they do throughout the year. To those who are enjoying some time off, we wish you a restful vacation and safe travels wherever you go.
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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.
Give a gift, get a gift
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.