3. Palliative Care Conference in Durban

June 20th

Palliative Care Conference Day Two: 

The last two days have held so many lessons and stories for me to remember. I am glad to have met a handful of the people I’ll be working with this summer face to face and to hear moving accounts of how palliative care helps people live well and die well.

People continue to impress me with their hospitality and generosity, gently coaxing stories out of me. They often ask me how I got into the field of palliative care; I am still working out my explanation. When I start to tell the story, it feels fractured. I sometimes notice that a series of questions has continued for a long while. 

It is not challenging to see the compassion that drives the palliative care professionals I’ve met so far. At its core, palliative care brings care and love to people facing illnesses where care is one of the most potent medicines available. 

Some people wind their way into the field from other parts of the healthcare system. Whether they incorporate principles of palliative care into primary care settings or involve communities to create networks of support, all find ways to bring more care into healthcare.

The first day ended with a lively evening of dance and musical talents from the International School of Performing Arts. They offered a moving performance of "You Will Be Found" and included names adapted to the conference. 

Post conference reflections:

Three of the national bodies for palliative care in South Africa signed the Durban Declaration for Palliative Care on Saturday. The declaration calls for a national effort to increase public awareness of palliative care and to advocate for new policies and implement existing ones. 

I have much more to share, but wanted to send an update now. 

Look for more later,

Lillie