AUTHOR: MRS. MARY M KINOTI

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life threatening illness through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychological and spiritual.(WHO)

Palliative care within Sub-Saharan Africa remains relatively a new idea. The main aim is to maximise quality life and relieve the suffering of patients with life-limiting incurable diseases and to support their families and careers. This is achieved by proper pain control and management of distressing symptoms and provision of terminal care. However what constitutes feasible accessible and effective palliative care and development of such services remain to be resolved to a satisfactory level.

One service delivery model used is home and community based care which is relatively well established mode of care provision for HIV/AIDS within Sub-Saharan Africa and now a new concept in cancer management. This guide provides comprehensive training of community aimed to improve the quality of life of the patients and knowledge on skills of the care. This method is largely successful based on how new the idea is.

Despite this achievement there are areas where attention should be focused:

Community needs and capacity.

Resources to sustain quality care are lacking

Adequate education and clinical supervision is necessary

Coverage and referral must be of primary concern.

Quality assessment

Strengthening and dissemination of diverse referrals and care systems.

Palliative care integration throughout the disease course.

Increasing advocacy.

Explicit frame work for service development.

Technical skills to build audit.

Recommendations are strongly advised to improve on lay and professional protocols .Opioid availability should be improved which is a major constraint. Improve on coverage and referrals as key are primary concerns.