Regional Reports
The program of the All-Ukrainian Council for Patient’s Rights and Safety -“Development of palliative care in the Ukraine ,”
Report for 2006
Palliative care development is one aspect in the defense of patients’ rights. It is directed at reducing suffering and improving of quality of life in the final stages of life. The All-Ukrainian council for patient’s rights and safety is very active in developing palliative care in the country. This brief report outlines what has been done during 2006 by our organization. The Program receives support from the International Renaissance Foundation.
* Data was collected about palliative care services provided in Ukraine.
* An analysis was made of the 340 medical workers with respect to their professional skills in palliative and additionally an assessment was made regarding the need for palliative care training abroad. A computer program was used to evaluate the medical worker’s professional skills. We also had meetings with the Ministry of Labor of Italy to discuss schooling Ukrainian nurses on palliative care in Italy. Fifteen nurses and nurses’ assistants from Ukraine were sent to Italy for training in palliative care.
* A studying of the international experience in palliative care was undertaken and numerous contacts were made with leading experts from the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Australia, Sweden, France, Poland, Slovak Republic, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia, and Norway. Contact was made with the European Association for Palliative Care and collaboration was begun with leading organizations active in palliative care such as the Open Society Institute.
* An Interdisciplinary Task Force on palliative care was created. The Task Force brings together representatives of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor, Churches, the All-Ukrainian council for patient’s rights and safety, the PLHA Network, and about 30 Ukranian and foreign experts.
* Contacts were also made with representatives of the ecumenical Churches, and representatives of the medical chaplaincy from USA, UK, and Bulgaria. One of the events dedicated to the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day was a special prayer service organized in the Churches of the Ukraine with the intent of highlighting palliative care.
* Recommendations were developed about the necessary legal changes, guidelines and standards for hospices and palliative care.
* Information was gathered in public hearings about public health and the rights of the patients with cancer.
* We met with the different organizations that help people with HIV / AIDS in order to learn from their experiences in palliative care development.
* A draft concept paper on the state of policy development in palliative care was written. The realization of the principles set out in this document will create the conditions necessary for palliative care to develop in the Ukraine .
* Social guidelines for the palliative care were developed.
* A project and strategy for the first palliative care center in Ukraine was created. The center would be an educational and methodological resource and will consist of stationary as well as mobile hospices.
* Short-term educational programs for two Ukrainian doctors in palliative care facilities in foreign countries was continued in the Lodz region ( Poland ).
* A pilot project on palliative care in Kharkiw was begun. This is a unique program for Ukraine because the city council allocated 600.000 USD for the project. Experts of the All-Ukrainian council for patient’s rights and safety, as well as our partners, took an active part in the work of the Task Force in Kharkiw.
* Guidelines on medical chaplaincy were created. The document shall provide regulations for representatives of the Church when they work in palliative care facilities.
* A company was formed that is dedicated to drawing attention and awareness about palliative care. As a result of this, after a press conference dedicated to the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (6th October, 2006), 5 articles appeared in the Ukrainian mass-media.
For the further information please contact Mr. Alexander Wolf, Palliative Care Program Advocacy Director, [email protected]
Aidspan
“Aidspan is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to reinforce the effectiveness of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
http://www.aidspan.org/index.php?page=globalfund. Aidspan does so by serving as an independent watchdog of the Fund, and by providing services that can benefit all countries wishing to obtain and make effective use of Global Fund financing. Aidspan finances its work primarily through grants from foundations, and does not accept Global Fund money.”
To learn more about Aidspan, please go to their homepage : http://www.aidspan.org/index.php?page=home
To lean more about applying for a Round 7 Global Fund Grant (call for proposals coming very soon) please go to: http://www.aidspan.org/index.php?page=guides
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