The global palliative care community is deeply grieved by the unprecedented violence in the Israel/ Gaza war. We are concerned for the safety of our colleagues in Israel and Gaza and for the very vulnerable patients, including children and older persons, they are caring for.
We call for:
- Medical personnel, patients, wounded civilians, and combatants to receive the protection and humanitarian resources they need, including access to basic supplies and essential medicines, including morphine for the relief of severe pain and terminal breathlessness.
- Compassionate patient-centred, emotional, spiritual and religious support where people are suffering and dying. This includes the respectful care of the body after death.
- An humanitarian corridor to be opened for the vulnerable to be taken to safety
Access to health care and essential medicines are human rights that must be protected in times of war as stipulated in the Geneva conventions.
A statement put out by PallCHASE – (Palliative Care in Humanitarian Aid Situations and Emergencies) on behalf of the global palliative care community. Contact info@pallchase.org