Grapevine

Experts call for enhanced training in palliative care

The Executive Director of the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU), Mark Donald Mwesiga, has urged the government to train more health workers in palliative care to better serve patients in need of this vital service.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines palliative care as specialized medical care focused on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of serious illnesses. According to WHO, this type of care helps patients manage side effects from medical treatments, and its availability is not contingent on the curability of their condition.

Speaking at the National Commemoration for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) 2024 at Ndere Cultural Centre on Friday, Mr Mwesiga emphasised the necessity of training more health workers to provide this essential service.

“We need to increase palliative care training for all health professionals and village health teams to bring palliative care into our communities,” he stated. “Strengthening care starts at the grassroots.”

Statistics from the Ministry of Health’s Health Management Information System indicate that only 11 percent of the estimated 500,000 Ugandans in need of palliative care services have access to them.