Downing J, Namisango E, Kiyange F, Luyirika E, Gwyther L, Enarson S, Kampi J, Sithole Z, Kemigisha-Ssali E, Masclee M, Mukasa I
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda ; International Children's Palliative Care Network, Hillcrest 3624, South Africa ; African Palliative Care Association UK, London DA15 8AD, UK.
Ecancermedicalscience. 2013 Nov 5;7:371. doi: 10.3332/ecancer.2013.371. eCollection 2013.
The African Palliative Care Association (APCA) jointly hosted its triennial palliative care conference for Africa with the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of South Africa (HPCA) on 17-20 September 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. At the heart of the conference stood a common commitment to see patient care improved across the continent. The theme for the conference, 'The Net Effect: Spanning Diseases, Crossing Borders', reflected this joint vision and the drive to remember the 'net effect' of our work in palliative care-that is, the ultimate impact of the care that we provide for our patients and their families across the disease and age spectrum and across the borders of African countries. The conference, held in Johannesburg, brought together 471 delegates from 34 countries. The key themes and messages from the conference are encapsulated in ten 'C's of commitment to political will and support at the highest levels of governance; engaging national, regional, and international bodies; collaboration; diversity; palliative care for children; planning for human resources and capacity building; palliative care integration at all levels; developing an evidence base for palliative care in Africa; using new technologies; and improved quality of care. Participants found the conference to be a forum that challenged their understanding of the topics presented, as well as enlightening in terms of applying best practice in their own context. Delegates found a renewed commitment and passion for palliative care and related health interventions for children and adults with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses within the region. This conference highlighted many of the developments in palliative care in the region and served as a unique opportunity to bring people together and serve as a lynchpin for palliative care provision and development in Africa. The delegates were united in the fact that together we can 'span diseases,' 'cross borders,' and realise the 'African Dream' for palliative care.
2013年9月17日至20日，非洲姑息治疗协会（APCA）与南非临终关怀与姑息治疗协会（HPCA）在南非约翰内斯堡联合举办了非洲三年一度的姑息治疗会议。会议的核心是致力于改善整个非洲大陆的患者护理。会议主题“净效应：跨越疾病，跨越国界”反映了这一共同愿景以及铭记我们姑息治疗工作“净效应”的动力——即我们为患者及其家庭提供的护理在疾病和年龄范围以及非洲国家边界内的最终影响。在约翰内斯堡举行的此次会议汇聚了来自34个国家的471名代表。会议的关键主题和信息体现在十个“C”中，即致力于最高治理层面的政治意愿和支持；与国家、区域和国际机构合作；协作；多样性；儿童姑息治疗；人力资源和能力建设规划；各级姑息治疗整合；为非洲姑息治疗建立证据基础；利用新技术；以及提高护理质量。与会者发现该会议是一个挑战他们对所呈现主题理解的论坛，同时在将最佳实践应用于自身实际情况方面具有启发性。代表们对该地区患有危及生命和限制生命疾病的儿童和成人的姑息治疗及相关健康干预措施重新产生了承诺和热情。本次会议突出了该地区姑息治疗的许多发展情况，是一个将人们聚集在一起的独特机会，并且成为非洲姑息治疗提供和发展的关键环节。代表们一致认为，我们能够共同“跨越疾病”、“跨越国界”，实现姑息治疗的“非洲梦”。
