Uganda recognized for contributing to the growth of Palliative care
Uganda was recognized for her contribution to the growth of Palliative care and access to controlled medicines in Africa at the African Palliative Care conference in Kigali, Rwanda.
Uganda’s contribution was achieved through the following;
🔹1st country in Africa to allow trained nurses and clinical officers to become oral morphine prescribers for palliative care
🔸With Public Private Partnerships and others stakeholders, a National Oral morphine reconstitution Unit has been set up to supply the entire country.
🔹Setting a functional and national multisectoral and multidisciplinary palliative care and morphine country team to support national level palliative care service implementation.
While receiving the award, Minister of State for Health in charge of General Duties, Hon. Sarah Opendi said Uganda introduced Palliative care in 1993. Most countries have not yet introduced Palliative care in their health system yet there is an increase in Non Communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, accidents and other conditions and patients experience a lot of pain.
“I call on upon all political leaders to support palliative care and integrate it into their health systems so that patients do not suffer in pain,” Hon. Opendi urged.
Additionally, Hon. Opendi tasked member states to enact enabling regulatory frameworks like Palliative Care policy for its implementation. “In Uganda, our policy is still in draft form and we hope to present it to cabinet soon.Countries should also provide necessary resources for palliative care,” Hon. Opendi said.
