Last month the 67th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva adopted a historic resolution urging member states to strengthen palliative care “as a component of comprehensive care within the continuum of care.” Many thanks to Panama, the country which originally sponsored the resolution, as well as the rest of the countries that co-sponsored it. We are proud of having been part of the team helping and providing support and advice, along with several other international and regional organizations. Congratulations to all and especially many thanks to Mr. Diederik Lohman for his leadership and help.
Also, on the occasion of the WHA, many activities were planned, including two side events sponsored by country missions and others in conjunction with NGOs in formal relations with WHO. IAHPC co-sponsored along with the countries of Latvia, Hungary, the World Health Organization, Human Rights Watch, Harm Reduction International, the European Association for Palliative Care, Help the Hospices, and the Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance, a side event on Access to Opioid Medicines in Europe and the World: Findings of the ATOME Project for Eastern Europe and consequences for other countries and for palliative care. Access to opioid medicines is a major problem in most countries around the world. Although these medicines are considered essential medicines by WHO, these medicines are beyond reach for some 5.6 billion people due to over-emphasis on drug control. The Access to Opioid Medications in Europe (ATOME) Project addressed the inadequate consumption of opioid medicines in 12 eastern European countries by analyzing policies and legislation and promoting awareness of the problem among policy makers, health care professionals and the general public. During the side event, Lukas presented the findings of the ATOME project and IAHPC’s Opioid Price Watch, as well as the initiatives taken by many countries to eliminate the identified barriers. Many thanks to Dr. Willem Scholten for his help on the planning and development of this side event.
IAHPC, Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance and Human Rights Watch delegates to the WHA in Geneva last month.
The Policy and Advocay Article by Katherine Pettus in this edition of the Newsletter, provides additional information about this historic palliative care resolution.
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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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