World hospice and palliative care day is celebrated around the globe annually on the second Saturday every October, and the 2024 celebration will occur Saturday October 12. The theme for 2024 is “Ten Years Since the Resolution: How Are We Doing?” This theme reflects the 10-year milestone since the World Health Assembly passed a stand-alone resolution on palliative care, urging countries to strengthen it as part of comprehensive care throughout life.
Locally, it is appropriate to highlight the work, not only of the Barbados Association for Cancer Advocacy (BACA Barbados) but also the Barbados Association of Palliative Care (BAPC) and other Barbados cancer advocacy organizations. BACA Barbados and BAPC have been brought together by their commitment to ensuring that persons who have a life limiting illness have access to the support and resources which they need to live fully, even at the end.
Let’s continue advocating for equitable access to palliative care.
This annual awareness day of global hospice and palliative care needs will have even greater significance when the proposed standalone hospice for Barbados in completed. The building which will be designed to accommodate 14 patients is to be constructed at Coverley, Christ Church. It will be the physical expression of the view that when we have life-limiting illnesses, we need the dedicated care of persons whose goal is to ensure a quality of life and engagement to the end.
Let us build a Hospice!
Donate today.