|15 October, 2017|
On 14 October, 2017 Bangladesh Palliative and Supportive Care Foundation (BPSCF) organized a seminar with the theme ‘Palliative care and Universal Health Coverage: Don’t leave those suffering behind’ at National Press Club, Dhaka. On the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, this seminar emphasized on disseminating the importance and need of palliative care in our country.
The seminar was convened by Dr. Rumana Dowla, Founder and Chairperson of BPSCF, followed by Dr. Arunangshu Das from Square Hospital, Dr. Kamrun Naher Lovely and Dr. ASM Munir Hasan from ASHIC Foundation, Rubaba Dowla from O2, Dr. Atikul Islam from S.M.A.M College, Prof. Dr. Rabeya Begum from DMCH, Dr. Farzana Khan from BSMMU and Dr. Ishrat Jahan from United Hospital. Other representatives from ASHIC Foundation, Rotaract Club of Dhaka Mohanagar and a team of Dhaka University students were also present in the awareness seminar.
Dr Rumana Dowla said:
“While our ageing population is a cause of celebration, this also brings great challenges, not least in the delivery of health care. Despite progress in the development of hospice and palliative care, which has improved the quality of life for millions, it is far from adequately available for all those who need it.
“Shockingly 42% of countries do not have any identified hospice and palliative care services and 80% of people globally lack adequate access to medication for treatment of moderate to severe pain. This means millions of older people, especially in the developing world, are living and dying in unnecessary pain and distress.”
A seminar on need of palliative care organized by BPSCF at National Press Club
To mark this unified day of action, advocates, students and carers are together called for urgent action from governments, NGOS, the private sector and civil society to improve access to palliative care for elder people with life-limiting conditions by integrating palliative care into existing services.
In addition to better integration of palliative care within existing services, the global palliative care community is stressing the need for:
- more training for health professionals and carers
- improved access to pain medications
- the inclusion of palliative care in existing health policies
- opportunities for older people to be involved in decisions around their care.