A new paper has highlighted the need to strengthen children’s palliative care (CPC) in Ghana, identifying gaps in provision and setting out recommendations for future development.
The paper—the first situational analysis of its kind in Ghana—examines the need for CPC, existing services, and challenges to service provision. It contributes to the evidence base on children’s palliative care globally, where an estimated 21 million children require palliative care, the majority of whom live in low- and middle-income countries.
The needs assessment was undertaken in 2023/4, led by a team from World Child Cancer (WCC) and the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Greater Accra Regional Hospital, and informed work that has been ongoing over the past couple of years to build capacity for children’s palliative care in Ghana.
Provision and challenges
The paper found that children’s palliative care services in Ghana were limited and not well established, with service provision available in limited locations.
A lack of access to essential medicines, including morphine in some areas, was identified as a key challenge, alongside funding constraints. Services were often supported through a combination of out-of-pocket payments, non-governmental organisations, and donations.
The paper also highlights limited availability of trained professionals in children’s palliative care and a lack of coordinated education and training opportunities. In addition, awareness and understanding of palliative care remained variable, with some misconceptions about its role.
Further insights
The paper explores these findings in more detail and sets out a series of recommendations to support the development of children’s palliative care in Ghana. Some of these recommendations have since been implemented through the #ChilPalCareGhana and the Ghana Palliative Care Association is currently working with the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service to validate and implement a National Strategy for Palliative Care in Ghana.
Read and download the full paper here: Children’s palliative care in Ghana: a situational analysis | BMC Palliative Care | Springer Nature Link
See previous articles here:
Building Capacity for the Provision of Children’s Palliative Care in Ghana – ehospice
Integrating children’s palliative care through the professional colleges in Ghana – ehospice
Ready, Steady, Go for #ChilPalCare in Ghana – ehospice
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