The Worldwide Hospice and Palliative Care Alliance (WHPCA) was delighted to be invited to take part in a news series of Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) Conversations recently.
The WHPCA, an alliance of over 350 palliative care organisations in over 100 countries considers UICC a key partnership organisation.
In the first of the series, Dr. Stephen Connor, WHPCA Executive Director, joins UICC CEO, Dr. Cary Adams to discuss the importance of the role of palliative care for women living with cervical cancer, particularly in low and middle-income countries where nearly 80% of the need for palliative care exists. Their conversation was filmed and you can watch it here.
The WHPCA believes that the voice of people living with palliative care needs must be heard too, as they are the most effective advocates for palliative care. Mrs Tsegenet Asefa has been receiving care from Hospice Ethiopia and sharing her experience of palliative care as part of the WHPCA Patient Power project.
Mrs Asefa explains, “I used to be suffering from severe back pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge associated with worst bad smell due to cervical cancer. The hospice team helped me in my home and I got relieved, I am able to help myself and maintain my social activities…. the hospice team who provide palliative care gave me the best ever care with love on the basis of my needs”
From left to right – patients Fantaye Ayele and Tsegenet Asefa with Sister Kalkidan Sisay and patient Kalkidan Abera walk around Hospice Ethiopia in Addis Ababa. Jan 24,2020/Maheder Haileselassie/WHPCA
While cancer is less than 30% of the total global need for palliative care, it has the highest burden of serious health-related suffering of any life-limiting illness. Action must be taken now to ensure palliative care is part of Universal Health Coverage.
Watch Stephen and Cary’s In Conversation – the first in a series here: https://bit.ly/3al2DHE
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