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Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Innovative fundraising for palliative care

spaces can also function as venues to reduce social isolation with limited mobility, visitors, and hospital staff who may
and loneliness (Flores, 2014). encounter difficulties navigating crowded public transport
However, quality control and careful curation of items systems (Skinner et al., 2015). This service also provides an
are required, as donated goods vary in condition and opportunity to raise awareness about palliative care through
lifespan. Cataloging and organizing donated items require targeted messaging and information displayed within the
vehicle. Donation boxes placed within the shuttle bus also
efficient management and volunteer coordination to expand the possibility of racking in from passengers, with
streamline operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the proceeds all diverted towards palliative care.
additional precautions such as disinfecting donated items
and adhering to public health guidelines added complexity However, this service lacks inclusivity for individuals
to running charity shops (Garner et al., 2022). The residing outside the designated route or those with poor
profitability of charity shops may be limited by small profit mobility, who still require alternative transportation or
margins, thus strategic pricing and revenue diversification accommodation to access health-care services. Strategic
efforts should be considered. planning of routes and schedules is necessary to align
with public needs and traffic patterns to optimize travel
3.5. Lottery and lucky draw under the red cross efficiency while minimizing disruptions and delays.
chapter
The sustainability of the shuttle bus service, including
A provision under the Thai law states that the president vehicle maintenance, insurance, and driver salaries,
of the provincial Red Cross Chapter may initiate charity requires careful planning and resource allocation to
lotteries or lucky draws for fundraising purposes. mitigate financial risks and ensure long-term viability.
Fundraising for palliative care by means of charity lotteries Collaboration with bus service providers and regulatory
under the auspices of the Red Cross, particularly during authorities may be considered to secure support for the
events like winter fairs, can capitalize on the collective shuttle bus service as a charitable endeavor.
power of government support and private sector donations
to generate funds. The participation of government sectors 3.7. Partnering with international organizations and
is encouraged to enhance the visibility and impact of the collaborative networks
fundraising campaign. The annual nature of charity fairs Establishing partnerships with external organizations such
also ensures a consistent source of funding for a selected as the International Association for Hospice and Palliative
cause. In addition, free booths and flea market spaces at the Care enhances support for palliative care initiatives by
fairs provide more spaces for further fundraising through bolstering funding capacity and expertise. External funding
sales of goods and services. opportunities can encompass traveling fellowships, faculty
development, and access to essential resources such as books
However, awareness and buy-in are required from
local Red Cross societies and committees to secure their and journals, enriching the educational and professional
landscape within the palliative care community. These
support for the cause. Competition with other government collaborations stimulate knowledge exchange, technical
sectors and organizations requires strategic positioning support, and expertise sharing, thereby enhancing the
and advocacy to prioritize palliative care within their quality and impact of palliative care projects (Callaway et al.,
fundraising agenda. The inherent nature of lotteries as a 2007). Successfully securing external funding also elevates

form of gambling may also not be acceptable in certain the reputation and visibility of organizations, attracting
parts of the world. Consideration should be given towards further support and recognition from stakeholders.
transparency of funding, responsible gaming practices,
and ethical considerations to mitigate potential negative However, competition among international applicants
consequences (Scourfield, 2023). for these funds may be fierce, requiring compelling project
proposals and strategic positioning to stand out in a
3.6. Running a shuttle bus service competitive field. Established institutions and government
In Myanmar, introducing a shuttle bus service to facilitate bodies often have greater awareness and capacity to pursue
transportation between Yangon General Hospital, other these opportunities, potentially placing smaller or less-
downtown hospitals, and U Hla Tun hospice presents resourced organizations at a disadvantage. Proactively
a feasible strategy to address transportation challenges identifying suitable funding opportunities requires
faced by patients, visitors, and staff, while concurrently dedicated effort, resource allocation and alignment with
supporting palliative care initiatives. The shuttle bus organizational priorities and capacity.
service provides a convenient and reliable transportation Securing external funds may involve obtaining
option to a pre-existing customer base, including patients permission or approval from relevant authorities,

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 217 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3809