News

This year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day theme is ‘Leave no one behind – equity in access to palliative care’.

To mark World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) 2021 on 9 October thousands of people around the world will be coming together to celebrate, support and speak up about the importance of equity in access to hospice and palliative care.

Even though many of us are in lockdown at the moment and therefore unlikely to host face to face events, we can still plan to raise awareness. The WHPCA website has tons of free resources like posters and social media tiles available for free download.

Dr Stephen Connor, Executive Director of the WHPCA, explains why we need World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.

“Palliative care is not part of universal health coverage in many countries across the world and for years palliative care has not adequately funded by governments. Through World Hospice and Palliative Care Day organisations are shining a light on the inequity in access to palliative care across the globe.

“This includes lack of equitable access for most people people living in low and middle income countries, neonates, children and young people, those that are homeless, people living with physical or mental impairment, the prison population, those living in humanitarian crisis situations, the elderly, those living with HIV and TB, LGBTQ+ people and all those that have been affected by COVID-19.

“On WHPCD we pledge to bring attention to this need and urge governments to fund palliative care in their country and thank you to all those across the world who are holding events to mark the day as we strive to leave no one behind when it comes to equitable access to palliative care. It is the right of every man, woman and child.”

For more information and resources to help spread the word please click here to go to the WHPCA website.