The state of palliative care in low-income African countries

With non-communicable diseases accounting for a growing share of the global burden of disease, palliative care is becoming an urgent priority, particularly in low-income countries in Africa. These services, essential for relieving pain and improving the quality of life of terminally ill patients, nevertheless remain largely insufficient in this region.

A scoping review published in BMJ Public Health highlights the impact of palliative care interventions focused on health promotion in low-income countries in Africa.

Strengthening communities through training

In many low-income African countries, palliative care is based on community approaches. Community health workers, often volunteers, play a key role in delivering these services. Training programs have enhanced their skills, with positive effects on the well-being of patients and their families. In Malawi and Uganda, for example, initiatives have shown that community support can reduce patients' physical and emotional symptoms.

Persistent inequalities

Despite this progress, the study reveals a significant imbalance: the majority of research and programs focus on English-speaking countries such as Uganda, Malawi and Rwanda, while French-speaking countries remain under-represented.

Promising avenues for development

The study highlights the need to integrate palliative care into national public health policies, in line with the principles of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. Initiatives such as educating communities, creating supportive environments, and empowering patients, communities and caregivers are essential levers for improving access to these services.

Conclusion

Palliative care in low-income African countries requires increased attention to ensure equitable and sustainable services. Investing in training, research and inclusive policies could transform palliative care provision, offering an inspiring model for other regions of the world facing similar challenges.

Reference: Ariane Plaisance, Carol-Anne Hyland-Carignan, Diane Tapp, Samiratou Ouedraogo, Idriss Ali Gali-Gali, Anne-Marie Turcotte-Tremblay - Health promoting palliative care interventions in African low-income countries: a scoping review: BMJ Public Health 2024;2:e000402 https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/bmjph/2/1/e000402.full.pdf