Development of Palliative Care Services and impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: Situation analysis from five Asian Countries
- Author:
Shoon Mya Aye
;
Sucheera Amornmahaphun
;
Sachin Dwivedi
;
Sunjida Shahriah
;
Shyh Poh Teo
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Asia, Community, COVID-19, Palliative care, Service development
- From:
Pacific Journal of Medical Sciences
2023;24(1):48-57
- CountryPapua New Guinea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Palliative care provides active holistic care for people with serious health-related suffering due to illness, especially near the end of life. In the Asia-Pacific region, there is variability in palliative care services and access to drugs, with a predominant focus on hospitals and cancer. The COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted the development and provision of palliative services. In this situation analysis, palliative services and the impact of the pandemic in five Asian countries (Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Myanmar and Thailand) are described. Overall, palliative care is an underserved specialty despite an obvious need for the services in each locality. While the pandemic significantly interrupted palliative services, palliative care providers adapted by developing guidelines and using teleconferencing. Overall, much work still needs to be done to improve palliative care in the region.
