Palliative Care in Asia – The Challenges [Новость добавлена - 08.03.2009]

A new chapter for palliative care in the Asia Pacific begins in 2009. The end of 2008 brought about major changes for the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN). The secretariat has moved from Singapore to Seoul where the current chairman Professor Young Seon Hong resides. Rosalie Shaw is no longer the Executive Director of the APHN having relocated back to Singapore.

There are very distinct challenges affecting the growth of palliative care in Asia. Some countries may be economically developed but resource poor in terms of palliative care. Conversely, there are examples of good palliative care initiatives in developing countries. Life and illness are intertwined in different ways in Asian communities when compared to other regions. A strong individual advocacy approach may work in western societies, but it may not have the desired impact here. The needs of many may seem to be more pertinent here than the needs of one. These differences often translate into difficulties for Asian communities to access and to be integrated into western palliative care type programmes.

There are huge challenges to integrate palliative care in the region. The very principles of palliative care may need to be interpreted within the values of Asian communities. The evidence base that we routinely use is derived from western populations, but it may not be entirely appropriate to our region. Though developing local evidence is important, the need to develop and maintain services in Asia is overwhelming and research is often sacrificed.

Over the years, the APHN has worked to link individuals and services together in the region with the aim to develop a web of contacts. The Biennial Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Conference, to be held on 24 – 27, September in Perth (in conjunction with the 10 th Australian Palliative Care Conference. www.conlog.com.au/palliativecare2009/ ) will help bring together palliative care workers to share and learn together. This is an opportunity to share the commonality and diversity that is the richness of palliative care in the region.

Dr Ednin Hamzah, CEO / Medical Director, Hospis Malaysia. Dr. Hamzah recently served on the IAHPC Board of Directors and we thank him for his service.

http://www.hospicecare.com/news/09/03/regional_reports_saudi_arabia_asia.html#Asia