Regional first aid for pain therapy and pediatric palliative care in Loreto.

“Pediatric palliative care is a new area of ​​pediatric medicine which takes care of children who did not exist until some time ago, because they had no hope of life: today, thanks to research, progress in the field of science and technology, many they manage to live for days, months, sometimes years, and move on to adulthood while maintaining a picture of incurability”.

They are words of Franca Benini head of the Veneto Regional Center for Pain Therapy and Paediatric Palliative Care.

She is the scientific director of the first “Basic course in pain therapy and pediatric palliative care”.

In the Marche region, the problem affects approximately 600 families, 0,32% of the pediatric population, 40% of which require specific treatments.

The course, which is among the objectives of the Regional Palliative Care Strengthening Plan 2023/2025, will involve professionals from the Regional Health Service Bodies who deal with the care and follow-up of young patients.

The coordination was entrusted to the Marche University Hospital Trust, under the direction of the company's Health Director, Claudio Martini, home of the newly established Regional Reference Center for Pain Therapy and Paediatric Palliative Care directed by Dr. Simone Pizzi, responsible for the training appointment.

The course was held in Loreto and was entirely funded by the Pro Hospice Foundation of Loreto, an entity established by the Cassa di Risparmio di Loreto Foundation, the Opere Laiche Lauretane Foundation and Casa Hermes, as well as by the Municipality of Loreto, with the support of other banking foundations in the Marche region, associated in the Consulta.

The city of Loreto has always had a strong symbolic value: it is the cradle of life and respect for human dignity, home to the Second Level Prenatal Diagnosis Center for problems and pathologies of the fetus, malformations, genetic diseases, infections during pregnancy.

The project was realized with the support of the Department of Health of the Marche Region, which set itself the goal of creating a virtuous network for children in difficulty: hence the desire to thank the world of Foundations, an important partner of the public health system.

The activity was carried out with the skills of the Maruzza Onlus Foundation, the first specialist training school in pediatric palliative care and pain therapy, and the only one to have implemented and developed the Charter of Religions, affirming the universal right of every child with chronic and incurable illness to respect for their dignity and the best possible quality of life.

35 professionals were involved, including general practitioners and paediatricians, palliative care specialists, nurses and psychologists, who in turn will train other operators.

In Italy, Law n.38/2010 had a highly innovative character, guaranteeing the universal right to access palliative care, and defining a specific area for paediatrics.

Unfortunately, however, to date only 18% of children who need it have access to this care: one of the major barriers is the lack of trained and qualified personnel.