African Region (AFR)

Given the high unmet need for palliative care in Africa and other resource limited settings, it is important that countries embrace the public health approach to increasing access through its integration within existing healthcare systems. To give this approach a strong foundation that would ensure sustainability, the World Health Organisation urges member states to ensure that policy environments are suitable for this intervention. The development, strengthening, and implementation of national palliative care policies is a priority. Given the lack of a critical mass of palliative care professionals in the region and deficiency in documenting and sharing best practices as part of information critical for regional development, policy development becomes a complex process. This article shares experiences with regard to best practices when advocating the national palliative care policies. It also tells about policy development process, the important considerations, and cites examples of policy content outlines in Africa.

Dans la plupart des pays du monde, la population vit plus longtemps qu’auparavant, ce qui présente un nouveau défi de taille aux systèmes de santé : comment soigner le nombre croissant de personnes souffrant d’une—et souvent de plusieurs— maladies chroniques à un stade avancé, tels que le cancer, le diabète, la démence ou les affections cardiaques et pulmonaires. Ces maladies sont de loin la principale cause de mortalité aujourd’hui dans le monde, étant responsables de 63,5 % de la totalité des décès.

Ces maladies s’accompagnent souvent de symptômes tels que des douleurs, une insuffisance respiratoire, des nausées, de l’anxiété et de la dépression. S’ils ne sont pas soignés de manière appropriée, ces symptômes ont le potentiel de dégrader la qualité de vie des patients et de leurs familles. Par exemple, Human Rights Watch a constaté que les personnes souffrant de douleurs aiguës non traitées décrivent ces douleurs exactement dans les mêmes termes que les victimes de torture—c’est-à-dire comme étant si intenses qu’elles feraient n’importe quoi pour y mettre fin.

Les personnes qui souffrent de douleurs aiguës non traitées décrivent souvent ces douleurs exactement dans les mêmes termes que les victimes de torture—c’est-à-dire comme étant si intenses qu’elles feraient n’importe quoi pour y mettre fin.

People in countries around the world are living longer, presenting health systems with a significant new challenge: caring for more and more people with one—and often several—advanced chronic illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, dementia, or heart and lung disease. These illnesses are by far the leading cause of mortality in the world today, accounting for 63.5 percent of all deaths. 

They are also often accompanied by symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, nausea, anxiety, and depression. If not treated properly, these symptoms can destroy the quality of life of both patients and their families. For example, Human Rights Watch has found that people with untreated severe pain often describe their pain in exactly same terms as victims of torture—that is, as so intense that they would do anything to make it stop.

People with untreated severe pain often describe their pain in exactly same terms as victims of torture—that is, as so intense that they would do anything to make it stop.