'Living to the end: palliative care for an ageing population' is the theme for this year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day celebrated on 13 October. Across Asia hospice and palliative care services are planning events to mark the day.

In Trivandrum, India a number of people who are ordinarily confined to wheelchairs or to beds will have a day of outing to Shangumugham beach to celebrate World Hospice and Palliative Care Day . The location was their choice – many said they had not seen the sea in many years, and one young woman said she wanted to feel the sea on her feet just once more. Many volunteers are joining in to make it all happen.

Meanwhile in Kerala, India, Alpha Pain Clinic in association with Jana Maithri Police and Student Police Cadets are planning a Ribbon of Hope Walkathon - the day will end  with an awareness seminar for the benefit of students. ehospice India features a news story reporting that Rahul Dravid, the international cricketer and former Indian captain has pledged his support to the Bangalore Hospice Trust. The cricketing legend has presented personal memorabilia to help raise funds - the items will be put up for auction on World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.

 

In Dhaka, Bangladesh the Bangladesh Palliative and Supportive Care Foundation is organising a Human Chain in front of national press club with media coverage. News paper articles in Bengali and English focusing on importance of palliative care, pain policy and opioid availability in Bangladesh are also planned.

In Taiwan, the Taiwan Hospice Organisation is organising a creative multi media contest ‘Light of Hope 2012’ to raise funds and awareness of hospice and palliative care.

In Hong Kong where World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is close to the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care is distributing special ‘moon cakes’ to the Palliative Care Units of the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong.

Finally in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan the Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan is planning a number of events dedicated to raise awareness to the problems of palliative care in the country and increase public awareness of palliative care. 

This is a small selection of the wide variety of events planned. Details of more events can be found on the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day website – it’s still not too late to join in – register your event today!