Over the weekend, Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia hosted supporters and high representatives of the diplomatic corps, corporate sector, and from the world of sports and arts at the 11th Annual Charity Dinner organized by the BELhospice Center for Palliative Care, at the White Palace in Belgrade. This event was organized with the aim of fundraising for the ongoing work for palliative care and free home care for oncology patients and their families.
In his speech, the Crown Prince said: “This event is of great importance, not only for raising funds that will help the further work of the BELhospice Center but also for raising public awareness of the importance of the palliative care system. My wife, Princess Katherine, and the BELhospice team, thanks to donors, have been working hard for years to expand the network of end-of-life care and I believe that their struggle will motivate others to contribute to this humanitarian mission”.
BELhospice Center introduced the concept of palliative care in Serbia 17 years ago, and in that period, it provided free home care for over 2,100 patients with advanced cancer, as well as support for their family member. The centre helps patients spend the rest of their lives as dignified, meaningful, and completely as possible. Each year, more than 12,000 people in Belgrade need this kind of support in the fight against an incurable disease.
During the dinner Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine said: “Although significant progress has been made in the development of palliative care in Serbia, much needs to be done in the future, which requires joint ideas and forces. It is of great importance for people to be supported in end-of-life care. Several palliative care centres must be opened as soon as possible throughout Serbia. Medical staff require training, many nurses are necessary for each patient, and the centres should be clean and pleasant places both for patients and their families. Palliative nurses also need to provide care in patients’ homes, as well as in these centres. Together we can and we will move Serbia forward and its palliative care establishment centres”.
