Erfurt (dpa/th) - The regional bishop of the Evangelical Church in Central Germany sees Thuringia in a good position when it comes to hospice work and palliative care. In Thuringia, unlike in other federal states, the first sentence of the constitution also states that dying with dignity is a mandatory state task. "This is something very special, and this task is also taken seriously," said Friederike F. Spengler, who is also chairwoman of the Thuringian Hospice and Palliative Care Association (THPV).
But she also warned against increasing hospitalization and commercialization of the hospice system. The hospice movement is a citizens' movement that, among other things, works in society to ensure that dying and mourning take place in the middle of life. Dying must be self-determined and everyone must be able to find a safe place for body and soul in farewell and dying.
Next Sunday is World Hospice Day. This always takes place on the second Saturday in October and is intended to raise awareness of hospice and palliative care issues. This year's motto is "Hospice can do more". Thuringian services and institutions are involved with information stands, film screenings, concerts and church services on the day.
