The
theme above is about a goal that concerns every one of us.
On the occasion of this World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (13 October 2012), this blog ‘Stop-NCDs
Network’, joins the international fraternity in issuing a warning and drawing
attention of all concerned to an urgent need.
The objective is not an ordinary
one, but of a global dimension: necessity to respond to improved palliative
care for the world’s ageing populations.
In this context, the global
trend is alarming. Within the next five years, the number of adults aged 65 and
over will outnumber children under the age of five. And the older people are at
higher risk of multiple, chronic debilitating conditions such as cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, cancer, dementia and HIV/AIDS.
Many older people are at a
higher risk of living in agony and pain, and die in pain and distress as they
are unable to access the care they need, including the appropriate medications
to address their suffering.
Given the estimates for NCDs by the World Health Organization (WHO) in near future, millions of adults will require palliative care at the end of
life each year: 66% of these are over 60 years old. Older people at the end of
life are missing out on vital care and support because of a lack of access to
palliative care services in most parts of the world.
As compared to increasing need, 42% of
countries still have no identified hospice and palliative care service, while
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.
This World Hospice and Palliative Care
Day, the Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance (WPCA) is warning that an urgent
response is needed to improve palliative care for older people and meet the
growing needs of the world’s ageing populations.
To ensure all older people with
life-limiting conditions are cared for with dignity and according to their
wishes, the WPCA is today calling for palliative care to be integrated into
national and community health systems around the world.
Dr John Beard, Director of the
Department of Ageing and Life Course at WHO, says “The main focus of health
services is generally on preventing, curing or managing disease. But one of the
things that is often neglected is providing quality care at the end of life.
Dr. Beard says, “Millions of people
today die in needless suffering simply because they are denied access to
appropriate pain relief and social support. This care is not expensive, and
everyone has a right to it.”
There is often a misconception that
palliative care is primarily for people with cancer. This is not true. The
latest estimates from WHO show that older people with a range of conditions
require palliative care and that in many disease groups those over 60s are the
largest group in need.
Globally, those in need of palliative
care are dying from Alzheimer, dementias, Parkinson disease,
chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, rheumatoid
arthritis, nephritis and nephrosis and cancer, predominantly affecting those in
over 60s age group.
Older people must have access to
appropriate care, support and treatment, which recognises their contribution to
society and is tailored to their individual needs through the course of
illness, including at the end of life. Unfortunately, palliative care is very
rarely available.
To ensure all older people with
life-limiting conditions are cared for with dignity and according to their
wishes, ‘Stop-NCDs Network’ is today calling for palliative care to be
integrated into national and community health systems around the world.
Through this blog, I therefore
share and reiterate the common global concern, “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.”
Therefore, it is called upon the
national international agencies, our governments, the private sector and civil
society to work for improvement of access to palliative care for older people
with life-limiting conditions by integrating palliative care into existing
services.
Sharon Baxter from the
Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance and Executive Director of the Canadian
Hospice Palliative Care Association has issued a special focus on reducing pain and
suffering among neglected or marginalised groups that are unable to get the
care that they require.
He says, “It is totally unacceptable that older
people, wherever they are based, are unable to access the care that they need
to live and die with dignity and respect. With the rising incidence of
non-communicable diseases and the ageing of the HIV pandemic, it is even more
pressing that urgent action is taken.”
For integration of
palliative care within existing services, however, it is necessary that
initiatives be taken on measures like:
· Training of greater number of health professionals and
carers
· Making available improved access to pain medications
· Inclusion of palliative care in existing health
policies
· Engagement of older people in decisions concerning
their care
This World Hospice and
Palliative Care Day 2012 assumes importance as thousands of people in around 60
countries are coming together at more than 1,000 events to celebrate, support
and speak up about hospice and palliative care.
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