This month there are two important issues related to global palliative care: one is concerning the World Health Organization (WHO), the other the United Nations (UN).
Palliative care is a core component of universal health care and it is included in the WHO definition of UHC: ‘Universal health coverage means that all people and communities can use the promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative health services they need, of sufficient quality to be effective, while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the user to financial hardship.’ One of the challenges in the progress of palliative care has been a lack of consensus on what palliative care is, what it is not, when it should be applied, to whom and by whom. The terms ‘palliative care’ and ‘hospice care’ have been used for many years with different interpretations and several PC organizations have, in turn, adopted their own definitions.
This month we are undertaking an exciting project with the WHO to revise the current definition of palliative care.
Our input informs WHO consensus
The objective of this project is to develop, based on consensus, a palliative care definition that is focused on the relief of avoidable suffering that is timely and applicable to all patients in need, including children, adults, older persons, and other vulnerable population groups regardless of their diagnosis, prognosis, geographic location, point of care, and income level. The resulting definition from this process shall specify the necessary and sufficient conditions for PC and list all its components.
We have sent invitations to 600 members of IAHPC — who were randomly selected by a computer program — to participate in a survey where they can rate their level of agreement with the proposed components of the definition. Please check your inboxes and spam folders in case you may have missed our email.
Once we finalize this consultation and consensus phase we will continue working with the WHO to finalize the definition. We are very glad to be able to bring in the participation of IAHPC members to this project!
A gap in UN Declaration and Resolution
The second issue, described by Dr. Katherine Pettus in her Advocacy Report, is the Zero Draft for a UN Political Declaration and a General Assembly Resolution on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This draft was done by Italy and Uruguay and does not include palliative care. We are hoping that many member states will request the inclusion of palliative care so that it is not buried under control of NCDs but is stated as a unique and separate strategy. Please read Dr. Pettus’s piece to learn more about how you can be involved!
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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.
