Patient Advocacy Seminar on Palliative Care, Pain, and Cancer

OSI's International Palliative Care Initiative, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, held a two-day seminar that brought together teams of cancer and palliative care experts from Albania, Armenia, Georgia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine. At the seminar, participants discussed ways of improving the ability of patients and civil society organizations to advocate for effective palliative care and pain relief policies.

Each of the eight country delegations delivered presentations on palliative care policies and national cancer plans in their countries, as well on current efforts of patient advocacy groups on these issues.

The participants discussed advocacy strategies to improve existing policies, and planned efforts to strengthen collaboration and facilitate the exchange of ideas on patient advocacy, palliative care, and cancer. The delegations also developed action plans to engage in-country partners on advocacy efforts.