Refugees and war – the challenge to palliative care

Categories: Leadership.

“Recent information tells us that people live in refugee camps for many years,” writes Joan. “There must be many who are living with cancer, organ failure, and other life-limiting conditions, and this must include children, older persons, and those living with disabilities – increasing their vulnerability and surely leading to a higher, and earlier, mortality.

“As the palliative care community, with skills, knowledge, compassion and access to a global network of support, we could and should be there. How and in what form we get there is the challenge.”

A group from the ICPCN, Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance and International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care is working on a strategy and an action plan, and all thoughts and ideas are welcome. 

Read Joan’s article on the International children’s edition of ehospice, and email Joan at joan.marston@icpcn.co.za if you would like to contribution to this project.

Joan’s article follows a call earlier this week from the World Health Organization for protection of health workers in conflicts and disasters. Read more about this on ehospice.

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