Development of the Latin America association for palliative care

The Latin America Association for Palliative Care (ALCP) was created in 2001 as a non-profit organization with the overall aim of promoting the development of PC in LA and the Caribbean, where development is heterogeneous between countries and regions. There are only eight National Palliative Care Associations in LA and national health PC programs are present in no more than four countries in the region. As well, PC is not included in the healthcare curricula and it is not recognized as a medical specialty. National Palliative Care Associations use to work in alliance with ALCP in projects including advocacy, technical support, and long distance education. This paper details the specific objectives of ALCP and the means we have used to accomplish those objectives.