Perspective Chapter: Palliative Care Experiences in Ethiopia – Call for Comprehensive Care Approach

Abstract

WHO estimated over 56 million people across the world require palliative care each year. Seventy-six percent of these are from low- and-middle-income countries. Due to the aging population, urbanization, and physical inactivity among others, chronic health problems are expanding. The number of individuals with such health problems is increasing. Even though access to palliative care is a patient’s right and a duty of care provider, provision of comprehensive and integrated palliative care remains non-existent in Ethiopia. Within the health facilities where alleviation of pain and suffering is believed to improve quality of life, access to opioids is at best limited. Psychosocial needs and financial instability are primarily caused by persisting pain and diminishing livelihood. In Ethiopia, palliative care failed to pay attention to such components as social, economic, and spiritual support that are equally desirable to improve quality of life of those with chronic diseases. Coordinated care mechanisms are compromised with an inadequate understanding of the scope of palliative care, how to integrate different resources and lack of model that defines and guide provision of comprehensive palliative care.