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Ukraine - Working meeting on the chaplaincy in PC and the World day of the hospice and PC day |
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Press-release about the working meeting on the chaplaincy in palliative care and the On 4th September, 2006 in the National Union of Ukrainian Journalists the meeting about chaplaincy in palliative care and the World day of the hospice and palliative care day (7th October, 2006) for the first time in Ukraine was held. It is known that about 500.000 persons dye in Ukraine each year. About 100.000 out of them dye with cancer. This sad statistics shows, that the patients left this world mostly in enormous pain, because it is well know that oncological ill people need the adequate pain relief what is not provided very often because of the specific Ukrainian laws. Accordingly to the statistic reports, 5 % of Ukrainians dye in medical institutions, 85 % at home, and 10 % – in other places. But places where they could meet the death with dignity (hospices) in Ukraine are lacking presently. Unfortunately, Ukraine experiences the epidemics of HIV / AIDS actually. In numerous civilized countries the network of hospices for those who dies from AIDS is formed already. In Ukraine, accordingly to official reports (which lessen the sad ciphers) about 5.000 persons died with AIDS. Incurably ill and dying patients need the palliative / hospice care. So the numerous letters of the Ukrainian patients directed to the All-Ukrainian Council on patients’ rights and security encouraged the Council to start the project “Development of the palliative care in Ukraine”. The Initiative found the understanding and support of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of social affairs and the “Renaissance” Foundation. The Task Force on the palliative care was formed. Developing of the palliative care which is a form to assist incurably ill and dying people needs the uniting of the efforts not only of medical and social experts. Because the main principles of the palliative care is to make the pain and other heavy manifestations of the illness, and also to unite the medical, spiritual and psycho-sociological support, the spiritual issue is very important. Providing of the dignified end of the life on Earth and the human assistance, especially to those who are incurably ill, is postulated in the world religions. The spiritual care is also needed by those who helps to sick people and everyday meets the suffering, death and human weakness. Understanding that, on the invitation of the All-Ukrainian Council of patients’ rights and security in the meeting of 4th September 2006 the representatives of different churches and religious organizations responded. In the meeting participated the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (the Kyiv Patriarchate), Ukrainian Lutheran Church, Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, All-Ukrainian Union of the evangelical Christian Baptists, Roman-Catholic Church in Ukraine, German Evangelical-Lutheran Church. On the meeting, the following questions were aroused:
It was decided, to start the united preparation to the World Day of the hospice and palliative care day (7th October 2006) what shall draw attention to the needs of the incurably ill persons and their relatives, helps to the initiatives of medical and social workers which intend to help these people more. We hope that the support of the mass-media makes the event really interesting and unprecedented in Ukraine as well as in Europe. With the best regards, For further information, please contact the Project coordinator Mr. Alexander Wolf,
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