Access to Palliative Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emphasized the role of palliative care as an essential service to patients and families affected by life-threatening illnesses.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province of the People’s Republic of China in December 2019 and has since overwhelmed health care systems across the world.
Palliative care as a holistic approach is an essential component of universal health care, especially during a pandemic. Optimal management of distressing symptoms, clinical uncertainties, complex decision making, and strengthening care provided by family caregivers thereby improving
patients’ quality of life are key attributes of palliative care practice that are much needed in this difficult period.
Further, community PC can facilitate provision of home-based quality care to patients with
cancer and those with complications of COVID-19 who can be cared for within the community.
As of August 2022, Africa had reported 8,780,536 cumulative cases in 47 countries with 173,243
deaths reported.
Most countries in Low- and Middle-Income Countries have no, or minimal resources allocated to deal with this COVID-19 type of pandemic. Even prior to the pandemic, LMIC had few healthcare providers trained in palliative care.
The pandemic significantly depleted an already poorly resourced PC service. In a study conducted in a tertiary referral hospital in Kenya it was realized that though the COVID-19 pandemic posed a threat to the lives of individuals across the globe, additional challenges were inherent due to provider shortagess;
scarcity of medical facilities and supplies; and mistrust of healthcare workers among patient populations.
Palliat Med Hosp Care Open J. 2023; 9(1): 1-6. doi: 10.17140/PMHCOJ-9-151
