THIS is with reference to the letter ‘Terminally ill’ (Feb 27)’ which highlighted the need for acknowledging the importance of holistic care in public hospitals. Palliative care is an approach that improves the general quality of life of patients and their families facing serious or life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer, through the prevention and relief of suffering by controlling symptoms, pain and other psychosocial problems.

Palliative care is recognised under the human right to health. Patients may receive palliative care along with the treatment expected to cure their illness, and it is not limited to end-of-life care. Hospice care, on the other hand, focusses on improving the quality of life of patients who are approaching the end of life.

In 1987, the United Kingdom was the first country to recognise palliative medicine as a subspecialty.

In Pakistan, this was recognised quite recently around a couple of years ago. For a population of more than 220 million, we have fewer than 10 palliative care physicians.

In addition to limited number of trained physicians in the field, there are several challenges hampering access to palliative care in Pakistan. For example, restrictive regulations for morphine and other essential contro-lled palliative medicines is a factor that stems from a misconception regarding substance abuse.

The fact is that uncontrolled and unsupervised use of any medicine can have serious consequences. There is a need to increase awareness among the general public as well as among healthcare professionals and policy-makers about palliative care to improve the quality of life of patients in Pakistan.

Mariam Khan
Lahore

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2023