Under the Traveling Scholarship program, IAHPC subsidized 18 of its members from low- and middle-income countries to attend the 16th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) in May. Each successful applicant received a $USD2,000 scholarship. This is the first of two reports of their experiences at the congress, as well as reflections following it, in their own words.
Elizabeth Namukwaya, Palliative Care Physician
Kampala, Uganda
The main need in our country currently is to have sustainable palliative care services. Most of the palliative care services are donor funded, and with the current situation of having less donor funds, many services face the danger of shutting down and many palliative care providers have been laid off work.
The knowledge and skills I acquired will help me in training health professionals to integrate palliative care into their normal care. Specifically:
After long hours of seeing patients and teaching palliative care, it becomes routine; the congress rekindled the fire to become a better palliative care provider, researcher, and advocate.
Poster: Shaping Integrated Palliative Care: Impact of a 6-year strategy in the Makerere and Mulago Palliative Care Unit National Hospital and academic setting in Uganda.
Oyinloy Oyebukola (Bukky) Oluwatoyyosi, Principal Physiotherapist, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex
Ife Ife, Nigeria
The concept of palliative care in my country, and most especially in my institution, is relatively new. It is far from adequate, even though it is an essential health service. Nigeria is the most populous country in its region of Africa, with a population of more than 170 million people. It has been estimated that more than I.7 million people have palliative care needs. In Nigeria, however, only six tertiary hospitals render palliative care services at present. There are several barriers to accessing palliative care in Nigeria, some of which include non-availability — or an erratic supply — of medical morphine, negative attitudes of health workers on the use of morphine, inadequate knowledge of palliative care, lack of resources, lack of funds, government policy, poverty, sustainability, and health care system issues.
Bernadette Basemera, Senior Nurse Trainer/Administrator, Hospice Africa Uganda
Kampala, Uganda
The biggest challenge being faced in my workplace 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, which provided excellent research on the topic of funding. There are many other reasons that, for me, the congress was a success:
The lessons I learned will be used to continue advocating for palliative care integration in African countries.
Poster/Presentation: Impact of Initiators Course on Increasing Access to Palliative Care for African countries 2018.
Dr. Gayatri Palat, Associate Professor & Consultant, Pain and Palliative Medicine
MNJ Institute of Oncology and RCC, Redhills
Hyderabad, India
‘Palliative care is everybody’s business and it is only by global collaboration and partnership that we can remove the disparity currently prevailing in our society.’
— Dr. Gayatri Palat
The most amazing experience was reading the posters and interacting with authors during the poster walk. The range of subjects, the depth of meaningful research happening in the field of palliative care and the presence of participants representing work of more than 100 countries were mind boggling. I spent hours absorbing and learning from those amazing pieces of research work.
In India, people living with life-limiting illnesses are often outside the regular health care system. When a cure is not possible, they are sent home. A desperate search for care results in catastrophic health expenditures and impoverishment; the majority die in pain and suffering.
Truly universal access to health will be achieved if only we can remove the disparity [between those who can afford treatment, and those who cannot] by mainstreaming palliative care as a part of regular health system. This can be achieved by adopting a primary health care approach, and with the help of a global compassionate community.
Poster: Eliminating Disparity and Improving Access to Palliative Care for People Living with Life-Limiting Illnesses In Telangana, India.
Natalia Carafizi, Executive Director, Foundation Hospice Angelus Moldova
Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
I felt very honored to take part in the pre-Congress PACED session that, for the first time in the history of the EAPC congresses, was aimed at the group of countries formerly part of the USSR. The current status of palliative care in each of the countries was discussed, alongside with existing barriers and options to overcome them.
I was particularly interested in sessions regarding issues about further development of pediatric palliative care, which is still neglected at the official level in Moldova, as well as the integration of palliative care into other disciplines (such as oncology), and developing modern educational curricula for medical students and nurses. The information I gained at the congress will be presented at the coming meeting of our National Association of Palliative Care in order to improve the developing palliative care strategy, and improve existing curricula on palliative care at the medical university and medical colleges. Additionally, it will help us to continue the integration of palliative care in such medical disciplines as oncology, neurology, and family medicine.
Poster: Initiating the Development of Palliative Care Service in Transnistria.
Mirela Myrto, Home Care Nurse, Mary Potter Palliative Care Center
Korce, Albania
I have realized the importance of education of health care professionals in palliative care and the various ways to achieve it... All the sessions that I followed had valuable information for evaluation and management of pain and other physical symptoms, and the use of analgesics/opioids, especially as it applies to pediatrics.
I appreciated the friendly conversations with colleagues and experts of palliative care and the sharing of experiences and values. This kind of communication was very encouraging and inspiring for me.
Poster/Presentation: Developing of Palliative Care in Albania through Setting Up and Development of New PC Units in Public Healthcare Institutions.
Sonia Patricia Carreño Morens, Doctor of Nursing
Bogotá, Colombia
Throughout the seminars, oral presentations and posters, I was able to gain a global overview of global research and practices of palliative care. I also met several colleagues in my area of research and practice, which will help provide me with feedback about palliative care in Colombia.
In the area of education, I will apply the knowledge and skills acquired, via strengthening my classes on palliative care in the university. I will also give additional palliative care classes for interested health professionals.
In the area of advocacy, I will share what I have learned with the society of professionals in palliative care of which I am a part, seeking to defend and promote respect for the rights of patients and caregivers. I will also mobilize my social networks in this area.
Posters: Difficulties in Communication between Patients, Family Caregivers and Health Professionals in Palliative Care; Validity and Reliability of the Scale of Uncertainty in Illness in Family Caregivers of Patients in Palliative Care in Colombia.
Oral Presentation: Prevalence of Uncertainty in Illness in Family Caregivers of People in Palliative Care at a Colombian Health Institution.
Anelise Coelho Da Fonseca, Coordinator, Asociacion Latino Americana de Cuidados Paliativos
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
It was amazing event for me; I met many people who have the same problems that I do in my hospital. It was my second European congress, and I will go to future ones until my retirement. It is a kind of gift to my mind; it refreshes my expectations and supports new ideas.
By the end, I was sure that I needed to improve my English!
Poster: High Level Meeting — Strengthening Health Systems. An Experience for the Advancement of PC for Latin America — Brazilian Example.
Odontuya Davaasuren, President, Mongolian Palliative Care Society; Teacher; Clinic Doctor
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
The congress was very helpful to me. I received new knowledge on symptom management in pediatrics, palliative care for patients with neurological conditions, medication safety in palliative care, advance care planning, and management of breathlessness in people with heart failure.
I learned about the use of cannabis, and that there are two kinds: one for seizures, the other for pain and insomnia. Dr. M.R. Rajagopal’s presentation, and that of other policymakers, will help me advocate for the development of palliative care in Mongolia, especially at the primary health level.
Poster: Life in Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients, Correlation within Patients’ and Family Caregivers’ Wishes.
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