From: Nino Kiknadze [mailto:nkiknadze@osgf.ge]
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2018 1:27 PM
To: sbelkania@moh.gov.ge
Subject: პალიატიური მზრუნველობის მხარდაჭერა

Dear Minister,

We are writing to you to request your support for palliative care at the World Health Organisation Executive Board meeting from 22-27 January 2018 in Geneva.

As you will know, the WHO will be discussing their Global Programme of Work for 2019-2023, this document now includes good language on palliative care following input on the first draft from member states and civil society.

Palliative care is a fundamental component of the essential spectrum of health services within Universal Health Coverage as defined by WHO.  A recent Lancet Commission on Palliative Care and Pain Relief found that 61 million people are living with serious health related suffering and it is estimated that less than 10% of those who need it can access palliative care.

To support WHO, member states and civil society to work together to address this situation, we kindly request that you inform your representatives attending the Executive Board and your mission in Geneva to:

1. Acknowledge the much improved palliative care language in the Global Programme of Work including the standalone paragraph 38 and ensure palliative care language is protected and retained.

2. Ensure the inclusion of an agreed palliative care target and indicator within the Impact Framework

3. Ensure that palliative care is included within the Global Programme of Work budget

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Katherine Pettus, International Association for Hospice Palliative Care
Stephen Connor, Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance
Julia Downing, International Children’s Palliative Care Network