Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC): Universal palliative care
This new law stipulates access for all people to a good life and death, and allows this benefit to be extended to patients with non-oncological diseases, thus reducing a gap in equity in access. “Palliative care must be available to all patients, regardless of their resources and the disease they suffer from. It is not only an ethical and fair imperative for those who suffer, but it is at the center of the dignity of the person and his family, ”says Rector Sánchez in a letter to La Tercera.
“Last week, the Universal Palliative Care Law came into force, which establishes access to palliative care as a universal right for all those who suffer from terminal or serious illnesses. This new law states that the Ministry of Health must establish access to all people, providing quality and support to the person and their family, contributing to their well-being, good living and dying. For the field of health and especially for society in general, this is a reason for great joy, because it allows this benefit to be extended to patients with non-oncological diseases, thus reducing a gap in equity in access.
” For the field of health and especially for society in general, this is a reason for great joy, because it allows this benefit to be extended to patients with non-oncological diseases, thus reducing a gap in equity in access.”- Principal Ignacio Sanchez.
Palliative care must be available to all patients, regardless of their resources and the disease they suffer from. It is not only an ethical and equitable imperative for those who suffer, but it is at the core of the dignity of the person and their family. The multidisciplinary work team today is made up of internists and family doctors, psychologists, nurses, kinesiologists, nutritionists, pastoral agents, paramedics, among others, which makes it possible to organize a therapeutic plan based on a whole of the patient. Thus, clinical services must be provided attending at the different levels of care, including care both in the hospital and in outpatient areas and also at home.
“The multidisciplinary work team today is made up of internists and family doctors, psychologists, nurses, kinesiologists, nutritionists, pastoral agents, paramedics, among others, which makes it possible to organize a therapeutic plan based on a integral conception of the patient”.- Rector Sánchez.
In the work of the UC and in particular in the areas of health, we have maintained an active role in this area, which is an objective in our institutional development plan since it is part of our essence, vocation and public function. This translates into a concern to contribute to a more integrated and equitable society, with broad access to health benefits, which allows us to place dignity and respect for the person at the center of our actions, especially in terminal stages of life. lifetime”.