#FOP24

About the Forum

The Forum's annual meeting of patient organisation leaders with national health policy-makers, including the Minister of Health, the President of the NFZ, the Patient Ombudsman and public health experts, provides a platform for the integration of the patient organisation community and enables the leaders of individual organisations to highlight the biggest problems they face in their day-to-day activities.

As every year, the occasion for the patients' meeting is World Day of the Sick, celebrated on 11 February. The meeting of patients' associations and foundations, organised by the Institute for Patients' Rights and Health Education, brings together more than 150 leaders of patients' organisations every year, representing the voice of tens of thousands of patients from all over Poland. The intention of the event, with the participation of those shaping national health policy including the Minister of Health, the President of the National Health Fund, the Patient Ombudsman, experts in the field of public health, is to provide a platform for the integration of the patient organisation community and enable organisation leaders to draw attention to the biggest problems they face in their day-to-day activities.

Purpose and mission

11 February
World Day of the Sick

World Day of the Sick is celebrated on 11 February each year and is a special opportunity to express respect and appreciation to healthcare workers, volunteers, family members, organisations and all those who selflessly dedicate themselves to the well-being of the sick.

The day was established by Pope John Paul II on 13 May 1992, on the 11th anniversary of the attempt on his life, and the daýs date was set for 11 February. World Day of the Sick encourages efforts to alleviate the suffering of those struggling with illness. It also emphasiseṡ that suffering is a kind of trial in life, which is difficult to cope with́ on one's own. Adequate medical care alone is not enough, but a sincere heart shown by another person is needed. Selfless, self-sacrificing and fraternally loving care for a person in need̨ our interest is not only an irreplaceable form of therapy for the sick person himself, but also an opportunity to discover valuable humanistic and spiritual values in ourselves.