Traveling Scholars Program Report
Bernadette Basemera, Ms.
Travel date: May 23, 2019
Name of Meeting/Event/Activity: 16th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC)
Origin: Kampala, Uganda / Destination: Berlin, Germany
How was this meeting/activity helpful to you?
The many evidence-based research reports shared was a big encouragement to us in Uganda and motivation for palliative care providers to be able to conduct more of such especially in resource limited settings. Learnt and appreciated the efforts of health care providers in developing countries have moved forward with PC services despite ongoing challenges in funding. Was able to meet new people and made new friends and those willing to volunteer and support PC progression in other African countries. Showcased the achievements of HAU in other African countries regarding palliative care integration and development. Met one of the HAU alumni members who shared the experience of her work following the training in Uganda and how palliative care services have been integrated in her work. A lot to learn from developed countries that can be adapted in my own place like research on small scale-given lack of funding opportunities. Accessing a lot of PC materials at the exhibition. Meeting new and old friends and sharing personal experiences in PC delivery. Visiting historical sites in Berlin being my first time in Germany.
How will you new knowledge & acquired skills help in furthering your work in hospice and palliative care in your program/city/ or country?
Have been able to share my lessons learnt with my colleagues. Have started using some of the knowledge gained from other delegates experiences in my day to day work through teaching others and patient care especially children.
How IAHPC Traveling Scholars Program be improved in order to help other future traveling scholars?
Travelling scholars should be selected from different developing countries with evidence of poster or oral presentation at a conference to enable them share personal experiences and challenges being faced and how to mitigate the same. It would be a very good idea to ensure scholars be given full scholarship to cover round trip flight, accommodation and meals because some of them fail to get top up funding.
Narrative summary highlighting the needs and challanges you face
The congress was a great success and because of the following reasons; Apart from the delegates presenting the various research papers, and running workshops I was able to listen to many papers presented by various PC experts in developed and developing countries. On the social aspect, I enjoyed the visit to the beautiful country of Germany and in particular the City of Berlin, with excellent stay at the Estrel hotel and its very high level of hospitality. The overall impression was that the conference was fabulous in terms of theme, content, plenary selection, speakers invited & organization. The congress was a good forum for me to learn from other palliative care experts around the world. The biggest challenge being faced in my work place is reduced funding for palliative care services and education. The conference gave me the opportunity to network with individuals and organizations involved in palliative care in the world especially in research for funding purposes. In conclusion the 16th EAPC congress was a great success because I was able to attend many presentations both oral and posters. The lessons from the congress will be used to continue advocating for palliative care integration in other African countries.