We have some important and exciting announcements!
Board elections
A few days ago we sent a call for nominations to the IAHPC Board of Directors. This edition of the newsletter includes a copy of the call for nominations, instructions and the criteria to nominate candidates. We invite all members to nominate individuals who are interested in international palliative care issues and willing to support our mission to participate in this process, and we encourage applicants from all disciplines and from developing countries to participate. This is an extraordinary opportunity to be part of the governance body that shapes the plans and projects for IAHPC based on global needs. This is more relevant than ever now that the World Health Assembly has passed the Palliative Care Resolution and countries are looking for guidance and support in its implementation.
IAHPC Traveling Scholarships ALCP Congress
We recently sent an announcement offering 15 (fifteen) scholarships from the IAHPC Traveling Scholarship Program, to help support the travel of palliative care workers in developing countries to the VIII Congress of the Latin American Association for Palliative Care (Asociacion Latinoamericana de Cuidados Paliativos – ALCP). The ALCP Congress will take place at the Hotel Royal Pedregal in Mexico City, Mexico, April 14-16, 2016. This edition of the NL includes a copy of the announcement.
Opioid Price Watch
IAHPC has launched the second round of Opioid Price Watch (OPW), a project to monitor and report the dispensing price of opioids around the world. This project is as a component of the agreement of work as a non-governmental organization (NGO) in formal relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and is funded with grants from the US Cancer Pain Relief Committee and Atlantic Philanthropies. The goal of OPW is to present information and generate awareness about availability and access to opioids for legitimate medical use. IAHPC will be collecting information for the second phase of OPW until November 30, 2015.
Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in a global project to raise awareness about access to medicines in your cities and towns. Participants receive three months of free IAHPC membership. To participate, send an email to Dr. Sammi Ebtesam Pharm D., OPW coordinator.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
This past month, the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA) coordinated the celebration of the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, a unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world. The theme for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day this year is ‘Hidden Lives / Hidden Patients’ and focuses on patients that often struggle with access to palliative care including children, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, HIV prisoners, soldiers and those living in rural settings. Many countries hosted celebrations, meetings, seminars and advocacy activities to bring attention to the palliative care needs of patients and their families. Read the reports and share your stories in the WHPCA website.
In addition, several exciting things are happening around the globe many of which are announced in this edition of our newsletter. Read and enjoy!
Help us to help others: IAHPC's annual fundraiser!
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.
