HIV and AIDS
Palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa: an appraisal
An overview of palliative care models in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors:
R. Harding; I. J. Higginson
Publisher:
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, 2004
This report offers an overview of existing palliative care models in sub-Saharan Africa. It analyses evidence from electronic biomedical databases and prepared reports. The paper finds that where available, palliative care appears to be provided by highly trained individuals, but unfortunately it does not reach many people who need it. Home-based care is the most common model of palliative care provision. It offers flexibility and increased potential for culturally appropriate care, but is limited by the suitability and availability of a home and family care network. Community involvement, particularly the use of volunteers to identify those in need appears to be successful, however, the capacity and methods of volunteer recruitment and retention are still unclear.
The authors offer recommendations to practitioners, funders, policymakers and researchers. For policy makers they suggest that palliative care must be a public health priority in the light of current and projected need particularly in response to the HIV epidemic and increasing cancer incidence. Diversity and innovation are key features of palliative care development in the diverse resource-poor settings of sub-Saharan Africa. However, a strategic approach is necessary to achieve palliative care delivery, incorporating advocacy, integration of palliative care into the continuum of care, education and training, drug access and establishing data systems.
