Event Report: World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2024
Date: 12th October 2024 (Saturday)
Location: Padang Polo, Georgetown, Penang
Introduction
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of hospice and palliative care. On 12th October 2024, the Penang Palliative Care Association, together with Palliative Care Unit of Hospital Pulau Pinang, Pusat Perubatan USM Bertam and the Malaysian Hospice and Palliative Care Council (MHPCC) organized an event to commemorate this special day. The event attracted about 200 participants, mostly from the Northern states but also from other parts of the country.
Event Activities:
· Zumba and Treasure Hunt
· Speech and Opening Ceremony
· Awareness Booths and Activities
· Lucky Draws
The event was officiated by YB Dr. Lingeshwaran A/L Dato' Seri R. Arunasalam, Senator at Parliament House representing YB Lim Hui Ying and the Penang State Government. We were also honoured to have Datuk Dr. Fazilah Shaik Allaudin, the Penang State Health Director attending the event and joining our activities. Our former chairperson and inductee to the MHPCC Wall of Honours, Dato’ Seri Dr T Devaraj as well as the Ministry of Health Head of Palliative Medicine, Dr. Richard Lim Boon Leong, also attended and gave speeches during the event.
MHPCC was represented by our Chairperson, Dr. Ng Woon Fang and the Honorary Secretary, Dr. Saiful Adni Abd Latif. Other board members present representing their respective organizations were Dr. Oo Loo Chan (Charis Hospice) and Ms Thow Meei Jiun (ASSISS Palliative Services).
With a projected increase from 180,000 people in 2024 to 240,000 people by 2030 needing palliative care in Malaysia, the event advocated an urgent need to integrate palliative care into the health and social care system and develop a sustainable funding model with contributions from the Government and private sector to expand access to palliative care.
It was great to see our Organisational Members present during the event to help with increasing awareness and advocacy for palliative care. This included:
- Penang Hospice Society
- Charis Hospice
- Kasih Hospice Foundation
- ASSISS Palliative Services
- Malaysian Association of Paediatric Palliative Care (MAPPAC)
Other organizations were present on the day included:
- PCU, Hospital Pulau Pinang
- Hospital Bukit Mertajam
- Pusat Perubatan USM Bertam
- PCU, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah
- PCU, Hospital Batu Gajah
- PCU, Hospital Melaka
- PCU, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah
- PCU, Hospital Selayang
- Institut Latihan KKM Sultan Azlan Shah
- Pure Lotus Hospice and Cancer Foundation
- Tzu Chi Foundation Malaysia
- Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital
- Kek Lok Si Charitable Hospital
- Eden at Botanica CT
- Oxyness Caring
- Abbott
- MBD Marketing (Oral Seven)
Impact and Conclusion
The World Hospice and Palliative Care Day event 2024 was a resounding success. Through the various activities, we were able to:
- Increase awareness about hospice and palliative care services in the community.
- Educate the public about the benefits of these services for individuals with life-limiting illnesses.
- Foster support and understanding for patients and their families.
The event showcased everyone's commitment to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to patients in need. It is hoped that the positive impact of this event will continue to inspire and motivate individuals to support hospice and palliative care initiatives in Malaysia.
Media Coverage
1) RTM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-O4V7oG9AU (Timestamp: 22:20 – 23:25)
2) DaAi Channel Malaysia: https://youtu.be/UnfebVElMo0
3) Berita Harian: https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2024/10/1309971/240000-pesakit-perlukan-penjagaan-paliatif-menjelang-2030
4) Penang ChinaPress: https://penang.chinapress.com.my/?p=1851834
5) TheVibes.com: https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/103706/urgent-need-for-increase-palliative-care-in-the-country
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