In partnership with the Hyderabad Centre for Palliative Care, Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration, the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN), and Lady Reading Hospital, Pakistan successfully launched its first virtual training programme on paediatric palliative care. This initiative utilized the Project ECHO model, delivering training through video lectures, didactic presentations, case presentations, and interactive discussions. The course brought together an international faculty from Canada, India, Pakistan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, fostering mentorship and ongoing professional support.
Palliative care in Pakistan remains in its infancy, with limited access and development despite its critical role in managing terminal illnesses, particularly cancer. Less than 1% of the population has access to palliative care services, and opioid availability for pain relief was among the lowest globally due to stringent regulations and inconsistent supply. Formal palliative care was restricted to a few private sector hospitals and charitable organizations, with dedicated multidisciplinary units available at Aga Khan University Hospital and Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital. While efforts such as home-based care and proposed institutes show promise, the country still faces significant challenges in integrating palliative care into mainstream healthcare.
The programme was launched following a chance encounter a few months ago at an international symposium attended by the faculty from Lady Reading Hospital. This virtual training programme equipped paediatric residents with essential skills to address the needs of families and children with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, neonatal conditions, genetic and metabolic diseases, congenital conditions, and neurological disorders. The programme consisted of weekly 75-minute sessions for six weeks with the final session and closing ceremony on February 22, 2025.
Key topics covered include:
- Introduction to Palliative Care
- Communication with Parents and Breaking Bad News
- Opioids and Pain Management in Children and Infants, including local Opioid Availability
- Symptoms other than Pain
- End-of-Life Care in Children
- Grief and Bereavement
Upon completion, the paediatric residents who care for children are better equipped to identify those with palliative care needs and apply a “Paediatric Palliative Approach” to address Serious Health-Related Suffering .
The programme with the endorsement of Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), UK, further expands its reach by the high standards it maintains and the significant collaborations of committed institutions. This initiative marked a major step toward improving paediatric palliative care in Peshawar and surrounding areas while addressing the unmet needs of children with serious illnesses which was possible only through the commitment of the local institution, Lady Reading Hospital.
Leave a Reply