WHO – Commitment in the Eastern Mediterranean region to strengthening palliative care

The decision came during the seventy-second session of the Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean. During which, Dr. Lamia Mahmoud, the organization’s regional advisor for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, reviewed the situation in the region and the gaps resulting from humanitarian crises, the lack of availability of some basic medicines, and the wrong perception of palliative care that it is concerned with end-of-life care only.

The resolution sets out the ethical, scientific and economic imperatives behind expanding the provision of palliative care, and urges Member States to:

• Integrating palliative care into national health strategies and benefit packages;
• Ensuring access to essential medicines, including oral opioids;
• Mandatory basic training in palliative care for all health professionals;
• Recognition of advanced training and specialist expertise in palliative care;
• Prioritize home care and community engagement;
• Develop monitoring frameworks using key performance indicators and research.

And he said press release Issued by the organization: Palliative care reduces suffering, improves the results of targeted treatments for the disease, and enhances the satisfaction of patients and their families.

He added that “Early integration gives health workers the basic skills in communication and the abilities necessary to treat symptoms, and gives them a way of thinking that puts the patient at the center of attention. This leads to enhancing teamwork, justice, fairness, and the patient’s involvement in decisions, which are values ​​that every health system should be based on.”

Studies show that early integration of palliative care can reduce health care expenditures by up to 30%.

The decision came after extensive consultations with the 22 member states of the region.

More details on the WHO Regional Office website.