Palliative Care Strategy Meeting

7-8 September 2005

The above meeting, which took place in the UMF Hotel, Cluj was preceded by Worship both days and officially opened by Prof. Dr. Constantin Ciuce, Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie, Cluj Napoca. Representatives from Social Work, House of Insurance, City Hall, Cancer Institute, University of Medicine and Farmacy, Medical Care Foundations, Hospice Casa Sperantei (Brasov), General Practitioners and the Media attended a very lively and fruitful first meeting. The meeting confirmed the complete lack of any strategy for the provision of Palliative care or coordination of services for the terminally ill.

There are many different institutions and organisations in Cluj which have various areas of responsibility for medical care but, unfortunately, in practice, there has been very little interaction among them in the past. The main purpose of the meting was to address this 'vacuum' and proved a worthwhile initiative, where much discussion took place and decisions made, which included the following important issues.

  1. The Care Teams from the following Foundations agreed to meet on a monthly basis with a view to strengthening their links and improving Palliative Care services in Cluj. It is also hoped that other Foundations will be added to this number in the near future.
    1. Fundatia Crestina Diaconia
    2. Fundatia Perspective Medicale - www.hospicepm.org
    3. Fundatia Pentru Ingrijirea Varstnicului - www.fiv.ro

  2. Agreement was reached to employ a Palliative Care Services Co-ordinator. When appointed this individual will be independent of any of the organisations involved and will be fully supported by Something for Romania. This is a completely new venture and will require someone with good organisational and management skills and the ability to work well unsupervised. Please pray for the success of this project.

  3. An initiative, to raise public awareness of Palliative Care was planned by the above teams and was undertaken on 8th October, World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, www.worldday.org. A team of volunteers distributed 5000 leaflets around the streets of Cluj and positive feedback has already been received.

Lachie MacLeod MBEPraise our ever faithful God for these encouragements and please pray that this important work being undertaken in His name will benefit the terminally ill, both physically and spiritually. "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;” (De 7:9)

Several individuals and organisations played an important part in the success of the meeting. Lachie MacLeod MBE Chairman of Something for Romania, who arranged and chaired the meeting, wishes to pass on his heartfelt thanks to all involved. The list is not exhaustive and the order in which they appear below has no bearing on the importance of their input.

Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie “Iuliu Hatieganu”
Cluj Napoca		www.umfcluj.ro
Hospice 'Casa Speranti'
Brasov		www.hospice.ro
Bianca Mihai
Coordonator Palliative Care Study Centre, Brasov		www.hospice.ro
Prof. Dr. Constantin Ciuce
Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie, Cluj Napoca
Prof. Dr. Andrei Achimas
Universitatea de Medicina si Farmacie, Cluj Napoca
Dr. Ileana Hica
Institutul Oncologic Cluj Napoca
Dr.Daniela Mosoiu
Hospice 'Casa Speranti' Brasov		www.hospice.ro
Dr Cosmin Crisan
Chirurgie 1 Cluj Napoca
Simona Pop
Nurse Coordinator FPM Cluj Napoca		www.hospicepm.org

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