Addressing the Critical Gap: Ensuring Urgent Access to Palliative Care Services with Essential Medications in Nepal

Abstract

Palliative care is essential for life-threatening illnesses. However, Nepal still faces significant challenges in accessing primary palliative care services, including required medications, particularly in rural areas. This commentary highlights the need for policies and guidelines to ensure equitable access to palliative care with medicines. While limited studies in Nepal confirmed the demand, challenges persist in rural areas with deficient access to quality healthcare. This article discusses the existing efforts and noteworthy initiatives implemented by healthcare institutions. However, these efforts are currently limited in scale. We recommend including essential palliative care medicines in government healthcare policies, establishing training programs for healthcare professionals, and developing comprehensive policies with detailed field research work to meet the growing demand. Addressing these issues will significantly improve the quality of life for palliative care patients in Nepal.

Keywords:

• Access
• essential palliative care medicine
• morphine
• Nepal
• palliative care

Disclosure statement

Rajeev Shrestha is employed on the INF Nepal Green Pastures Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Sunita Project. All of the views expressed in the paper are his own and not those of Sunita Project, INF Nepal Green Pastures Hospital and Rehabilitation. Center, EMMS International or UK Aid.

Additional information

Funding

Sunita is a UK Aid fund matched project being implemented in Nepal by INF Nepal Green Pastures Hospital and Rehabilitation Center and EMMS International.