ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Morphine Manifesto

In conjunction with World Cancer Day 2012 (4 February 2012), Pallium India, the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC), and the Pain & Policy Studies Group / WHO Collaborating Center at the University of Wisconsin, have released a Morphine Manifesto. Signed by leading organizations and foundations from around the world, including cancer, pain management, and hospice & palliative care organizations, this Manifesto calls for an end to the unethical practice of promoting access to expensive opioid analgesics without also making available low cost immediate release oral morphine.

Furthermore, it calls upon governments, health care institutions, and the pharmaceutical industry to assure the accessibility of immediate release morphine to patients in need at a cost that the individual and community can afford.

To read and sign the Morphine Manifesto click on http://palliumindia.org/manifesto/

2. Painful inequities — Palliative Care in developing countries

“The world has opened its eyes to the growing burden of cancer. Closing the gap in cancer care will depend on marshaling limited resources toward disease-specific approaches to treatment and prevention … layering pain treatment onto any evolving health care system, no matter the disease, is as reachable a goal as any.”

Daniela Lamas, M.D., and Lisa Rosenbaum, M.D.
N Engl J Med 2012; 366:199-201

The article is available at http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1113622

3. Global SUMMIT on International Breast Health - Guidelines for Supportive Care and QOL.

At the point of breast cancer diagnosis, Supportive Care and Quality of Life (QOL) issues should be considered essential elements of a multidisciplinary approach to breast cancer treatment. However, for women suffering from breast cancer in underserved areas around the world, this fundamental area of patient care generally is neglected and misunderstood.

The Global Summit in Vienna on October 2012, will connect national and international organizations and experts from around the world, over three dynamic days of international presentations, discussions, and professional networking, and enhance knowledge of the global cancer community. Three Consensus Working Groups will focus on specific subjects relative to Guidelines for International Breast Health and Cancer Control – Supportive Care and QOL, as well as morphine access.

More information at www.bhgi.info

Note: Dr. Carla Ripamonti will be there representing IAHPC.

4. Great news from Albania

The Minister of Health approved the creation of palliative care programs in all 12 regional hospitals in Albania. Specifics about whether the programs to be created will be in-patient units, in-patient consult services or home care teams are being worked out.
We congratulate all the Albanian palliative care champions, the Albanian Open Society Foundation and Dr. Stephen Connor consultant at the International Palliative Care Initiative for all the hard work they have put into making this happen.
Additional information can be requested from the OSF in Albania in http://www.soros.al/en/legacy/health.htm

5. Dr M.R. Rajagopal was honored with a Public Health Award

Ranbaxy Science Foundation (RSF), a non-profit organization set-up by Ranbaxy Laboratories, has honored Dr M R Rajagopal, chairman, Pallium India Trust and director, Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences with the Ranbaxy Public Health Award for his outstanding contributions in the fields of pain management and palliative care.

The Award Presentation Ceremony was on February 27, 2012 at the Jawaharlal Auditorium, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

More information at http://palliumindia.org/2012/01/ranbaxy-public-health-award-to-pallium-indias-dr-rajagopal/

Dr M.R. Rajagopal is a Lifetime Board Adviser to the IAHPC Board. His bio may be found at: http://www.hospicecare.com/Bio/mr_rajagopal.htm