Introduction
Palliative care is a specialized form of medical care that focuses on improving the quality of life
for patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses. It offers holistic support—addressing
physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs—not only for patients but also for their families.
In Ghana, palliative care plays a critical role in ensuring that individuals facing chronic or
terminal conditions receive dignified, compassionate care. However, despite its importance,
palliative care remains underdeveloped within the country’s healthcare system. This article
explores the significance of palliative care in Ghana’s healthcare framework, its current
challenges, and its potential to improve health outcomes under the Universal Health Coverage
(UHC) 2020–2030 policy framework.
Understanding Palliative Care: A Holistic Approach to
Health
Palliative care goes beyond curing disease—it focuses on managing pain and alleviating
suffering through multidisciplinary care. It is not limited to end-of-life scenarios; patients with
conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, HIV/AIDS, and neurological
disorders benefit from early palliative interventions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that palliative care should be integrated at all
levels of care—primary, secondary, and tertiary—to meet the health needs of individuals at
various stages of illness. In Ghana’s context, where healthcare is still developing and chronic
conditions are on the rise, palliative care offers a lifeline for both patients and caregivers.
The Role of Palliative Care in Ghana’s Healthcare System
Enhancing Quality of Life for Patients and Families
Many patients with chronic illnesses experience not only physical pain but also emotional
distress, social isolation, and spiritual concerns. Without proper support, patients may suffer
unnecessarily, which affects their well-being. Palliative care provides patients with access to:
Pain management and symptom control.
Emotional and psychological support to help cope with anxiety, depression, and grief.
Counseling services for patients and families to manage uncertainty and difficult
decisions.
These interventions promote dignity and quality of life, even for those with incurable
conditions. In addition, by engaging families in caregiving, palliative care fosters a sense of
community support and reduces the burden on health institutions.
Reducing the Burden on Health Facilities
Hospitals and clinics in Ghana often struggle with overcrowding and limited resources.
Patients with chronic illnesses tend to stay in hospitals for prolonged periods, further straining
the system. Palliative care services, including home-based care, allow patients to receive
treatment in their own homes, relieving pressure on hospitals. This approach ensures that health
resources are directed more efficiently, freeing hospital beds for acute cases and emergencies.
Integrating Palliative Care into Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
Palliative care is an essential component of the UHC 2020–2030 policy in Ghana. As healthcare
shifts toward inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that vulnerable populations—including the
elderly and those with chronic conditions—receive palliative services is paramount. Integrating
palliative care into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) will make these services
more accessible, eliminating out-of-pocket payments that often prevent families from seeking
help.
Palliative Care and the Shift Towards Community-Based
Care
One of the key pillars of effective palliative care is community involvement. Many Ghanaians
rely on informal caregiving networks involving family members, neighbors, and traditional
healers. Incorporating palliative care principles into primary healthcare allows these caregivers
to receive adequate training and support, ensuring that care is delivered safely and effectively.
The Ghana Palliative Care Association (GPCA) aims to establish palliative care hubs across
all regions, ensuring that patients in both urban and rural areas have access to these services. By
building partnerships with community leaders and local organizations, palliative care can
become a trusted, culturally sensitive component of healthcare delivery.
The Role of Palliative Care in Chronic Disease Management
Ghana, like many other countries, faces an epidemiological shift from infectious diseases to
chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancers. These
conditions require long-term management, but without adequate palliative services, many
patients suffer from uncontrolled symptoms.
Palliative care plays a vital role in:
Chronic pain management for cancer patients.
Supporting patients with cardiac and respiratory diseases to manage symptoms like
breathlessness.
Providing psychosocial support for patients living with HIV/AIDS to improve
adherence to treatment plans.
By coordinating with specialized units in hospitals and health centers, palliative care bridges
gaps between acute and long-term care.
The Economic Impact of Palliative Care
Cost Savings for the Healthcare System
Palliative care reduces the need for costly hospital admissions and emergency interventions. By
offering home-based services, it reduces healthcare expenditure for both the government and
families. In addition, telemedicine and mobile health applications are becoming crucial tools
in extending palliative care to remote areas, reducing travel costs for patients.
Supporting Families to Prevent Economic Hardship
Without access to palliative care, families often face financial hardship due to high medical
expenses and loss of income when caregivers leave work to provide care. Structured palliative
care programs can mitigate these economic challenges by providing caregivers with support,
training, and resources to manage care at home effectively.
Current Challenges in Palliative Care Delivery in Ghana
Despite its importance, several challenges limit the delivery and accessibility of palliative care in
Ghana:
Lack of policy integration: Palliative care is not yet fully incorporated into national
health policies and NHIS coverage.
Limited trained workforce: There is a shortage of healthcare professionals with
expertise in palliative care.
Cultural misconceptions: Many people associate palliative care with death and dying,
which creates barriers to acceptance.
Inadequate funding: Financial constraints limit the expansion of palliative care services,
including the establishment of palliative care hubs and training programs.
Addressing these challenges requires collaboration between government, healthcare
institutions, and private partners to develop sustainable solutions.
Strategic Vision for the Future of Palliative Care in Ghana
The GPCA has developed a five-year strategy to integrate palliative care into the healthcare
system, focusing on:
Policy development and inclusion of palliative care in national healthcare frameworks.
Training and certification programs for healthcare workers and caregivers.
Licensing and regulation of home-based care services to ensure quality care delivery.
Public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and increase acceptance of palliative
care.
Collaborative partnerships with private and public institutions to secure funding and
support.
The establishment of palliative care hubs and a national palliative care registry will enable
data collection, monitoring, and continuous improvement of services across the country.
Conclusion
Palliative care is essential for the future of healthcare in Ghana. It provides comprehensive,
compassionate care that meets the needs of patients with chronic or terminal conditions while
reducing the burden on health facilities and families. As the country works towards achieving
Universal Health Coverage by 2030, the inclusion of palliative care in national health policies
and NHIS is critical. The Ghana Palliative Care Association is committed to advancing palliative
care services through collaborative efforts, strategic partnerships, and public engagement.
By embracing palliative care, Ghana’s healthcare system can ensure that no patient is left
behind, and every individual receives the care they deserve at every stage of their illness.
Reference
World Health Organization (WHO): The WHO emphasizes that integrating palliative care
into primary healthcare is essential for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). It
highlights the need for countries to develop policies ensuring access to essential medicines and
multidisciplinary care for patients with chronic illnesses, in line with the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Implementing World Health Assembly
Resolution on Palliative Care. This report discusses the WHA Resolution 67.19, which
emphasizes the integration of palliative care across all healthcare levels as a moral imperative,
especially in low and middle-income countries like Ghana. Retrieved from WHO【12】.
Ghana Health Service. Ghana’s healthcare framework includes elements of Universal Health
Coverage (UHC) 2030, but palliative care has lagged behind. This aligns with WHO’s focus on
UHC, promoting equity in access to essential healthcare services like palliative
care【10】【1】
WHO Applications
World Health Organization (WHO)
WHO Framework for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs): The WHO global action plan
for NCDs recognizes palliative care as a critical service that complements preventive and
curative care, especially for chronic conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
African Palliative Care Association (APCA): APCA underscores the importance of
culturally appropriate, community-based palliative care in Africa to reduce suffering and
improve quality of life for patients facing life-threatening illnesses
Lancaster University. (2020). Ghana needs a better policy to guide care for cancer
patients. This article highlights the ethical issues surrounding limited palliative care access in
Ghana, with patients often facing financial barriers despite the need for end-of-life support.
Global Monitoring Report on UHC. Discusses the global push for UHC by 2030 and the
need to incorporate services like palliative care to address the healthcare needs of aging
populations and patients with chronic disease.
By:
Winifred Nana Yaa Otoo, Mrs.
RN; Fellowship In PC; PC Initiator; MSN-FNP (maj.Chronic & Supportive Care); BSN; DCNO- Pall Care, GHS.
Executive Secretary, GPCA
