Introducing... the Portuguese Association for Palliative Care
What We Do & Why IAHPC Is An Important Resource For Us
By Dr. Duarte Soares, President of APCP
Founded in Oporto in 1995, the Portuguese Association for Palliative Care (in Portuguese, Associação Portuguesa De Cuidados Paliativos, or APCP) represents palliative care professionals and others who are committed to the development of palliative care in Portugal. The APCPis currently celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Our partnerships are dynamic
The Portuguese Association is recognized not only as a strong palliative care advocate, but as a dynamic partner that provides information and guidance for the country’s government, clinics, researchers, academia, and NGOs in the implementation of palliative care.
For the last few years, the APCP has been committed to raising social awareness for palliative care, focusing on the creation of new community-based services and the empowerment of informal carers.
We investment heavily in education
APCP has been investing heavily in education. In the last two years, more than 5,000 participants have enrolled in more than 100 courses, and 50 scholarships have been created, representing an investment of over 60,000 euros. In 2019, the investment was exclusively dedicated to pediatric palliative care.
At the same time, the number of attendees at the ACPC National Congress for Palliative Care has been growing; more than 1,000 participants attended the last edition in 2018.
Question: Why is it important to you to be an IAHPC Lifetime Member?
Answer: The APCP is strongly committed to empowering its citizens to advocate for access to palliative care services. This vision is, unfortunately, a long way from becoming a reality, as less than 30% of people have access. We see the IAHPC as a global platform that provides motivational support by sharing information about palliative care activities in other countries, demonstrating good practices from around the world.
Question: What IAHPC resources does your association use the most, and why?
Answer: Publications of IAHPC, such as its regular newsletters and other documents, such as its latest position on euthanasia, are recognized as highly important by APCP.
The APCP sees the essential importance of the IAHPC in its commitment to serve individuals and families with palliative care needs around the globe. We remain keen to contribute to any new project that aspires to build this strong partnership and network.
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.
Dr. Duarte Soares
