This year, Hospice Ethiopia held 2 key events to commemorate the 2024 World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on October 24th and 31st, with heartfelt celebrations, bringing together local communities, healthcare professionals, government representatives, and international partners to raise awareness and champion the cause of palliative care in Ethiopia.
This year’s theme, “Ten Years Since the Resolution: How Are We Doing?” set the stage for two major events: an in-person gathering for the local community and a virtual event for our international supporters. Both events highlighted the importance of compassionate, inclusive palliative care and the significant progress in Ethiopia.
Virtual Celebration with the International Community (October 24th, 2024)
Our virtual celebration brought together over 42 supporters and advocates from around the world, uniting our international community in a shared commitment to palliative care. Key palliative care data were presented both live and through a pre-recorded video. The event featured an inspiring keynote speech on global advancements in palliative care, with experts from the World Hospice and Palliative Care Alliance and the African Palliative Care Association sharing valuable insights on overcoming challenges and expanding services across various regions. Representatives from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and partner hospitals also spoke, highlighting efforts to strengthen palliative care services within the country.
In addition, patient shared a moving story, offering a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of accessible, compassionate care on individuals and families. Acknowledgments from donors and individual supporters underscored the global solidarity behind our mission. We were especially honored by the presence of Professor Anne Merriman, whose participation added to the significance of this event. We were honored to have organizations such as Hospice Africa Uganda in attendance, further emphasizing the shared vision for palliative care across borders. We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support from our international attendees, whose engagement and solidarity continue to drive our mission forward in Ethiopia.
In-Person Celebration (October 31st 2024)
The in-person event welcomed 47 attendees, including representatives from the Addis Ababa Health Bureau, the Ethiopian Civil Society Authority, and major partner hospitals such as St. Paul, Black Lion, Menelik II Hospital, and Yekatit Hospice. NGO partners like Pink House and dedicated supporters from Hospice Ethiopia UK were also present. This diverse gathering underscored the broad-based support and commitment to expanding palliative care services for the Ethiopian community.
The event featured inspiring keynote speeches from prominent speakers, Hospital representatives, local health officials, and palliative care advocates, who spoke passionately about the need to make palliative care accessible to all, especially the underserved.
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