Submitted by Anil Sookraj (Estcourt Hospice Association chairperson)
On October 12, something extraordinary is going to happen. People from around the world who have been impacted by a life-limiting illness – either personally or by supporting a loved one – will be making their voices heard, asking policy-makers to prioritise palliative care policies and services.
Further, people who have been standing in solidarity with them – local leaders, volunteers, advocates, clinicians – will be volunteering their time to amplify this public message: Palliative Care: it’s “my care, my right”.
About the theme
The theme aims to communicate that palliative care can be demanded by the public – and that, together, every person impacted by a life-limiting illness can influence their policy-makers to prioritise palliative care financing under Universal Health Coverage.
The sub-theme will address the importance of mobilising communities, particularly volunteers, to ensure that patients’ right to care is supported.
Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems (physical, psycho-social and spiritual).
Palliative care:
– provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms;
– affirms life and regards dying as a normal process;
– intends neither to hasten nor postpone death;
– integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care;
– offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death;
– offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient’s illness and in their own bereavement;
– uses a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families, including bereavement counselling, if indicated;
– will enhance quality of life and may also positively influence the course of illness;
– is applicable early in the course of illness, in conjunction with other therapies that are intended to prolong life, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and includes those investigations needed to better understand and manage distressing clinical complications.
How to get involved
1. Support the walk-a-thon at Forderville Primary School on October 12, from 8am until 10am. Entry is free.
2. 11am – tea party (R50 a person). Tickets available from Urban Bloom Nursery and Garden Centre (next to Estcourt News). Tickets are limited.
3. For more information, contact Estcourt Hospice Association chief executive officer Rena Licen on 036-352-5634, Belinda Smith on 082-396-8050 or Anil Sookraj on 083-787-2277.
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