Wear a hat and show you care
Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children encourages people to wear a hat on Friday, 14 October.
WORLD Hospice and Palliative Care Day was commemorated on 8 October, with the theme Living and Dying in Pain: it doesn’t have to happen.
According to Dr Julia Ambler from Umduduzi Hospice Care for Children, more than 5.5 billion people worldwide have little or no access to adequate pain control. In South Africa, although the medicines are available, patients still struggle in pain due to myths and fear around the use of strong medications such as morphine. To mark the day and raise awareness for children’s palliative care and access to pain control, Umduduzi will join in the #Hatson4CPC campaign, which was started by the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN.org), where colleagues, friends and supporters are encouraged to wear a hat on Friday 14 October.
Dr Ambler said: “We will be hosting our campaign at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital on the day; it is not only important for patients to know their rights but it is time to educate health care providers as well. Of course we are hoping that everyone will wear a hat!”
The day aims to raise awareness of the rights of very sick children with incurable and life-threatening illnesses to receive palliative care; holistic care aimed at providing relief from pain and other distressing symptoms, counselling for the child and family and bereavement care when necessary.
To take part, wear a hat, take a selfie, add the hashtag #HatsOn4CPC, upload to your Facebook page and tag Umduduzi’s Facebook page.
For more information visit: www.umduduzi.co.za
