Funding for Palliative Care Programs in Developing Countries

Abstract

There are many palliative care developments in resource-poor regions of the world. Most of them are supported by third-party donors and grant makers. The funding necessary to cover essential palliative care services usually exceeds the financial means of many developing countries. Health care services may have to be complemented by nongovernmental organizations that are dependent on fund raising and voluntary donations from a variety of external sources. Coordinated action by international funding agencies is needed to ensure that the world's poorest people have access to essential medications and appropriate palliative care. To this end, international networking in the palliative care field is vital. There are now a number of collaborative networks that make a significant contribution to the development and sustainability of hospice and palliative care across many resource-poor regions of the world.

Documento de Posición Oficial sobre la Promoción Global de Cuidados Paliativos: Recomendaciones del Grupo Internacional Asesor PAL-LIFE de la Academia Pontificia de la Vida, Ciudad del Vaticano

“…Los gobiernos nacionales no han proporcionado la financiación adecuada para apoyar el desarrollo de los CP, y las organizaciones no gubernamentales, organizaciones profesionales, fundaciones, organizaciones religiosas, organizaciones y fundaciones benéficas, y las agencias del desarrollo, han jugado un papel fundamental en el desarrollo de hospices y CP a nivel internacional y comunitario, proporcionando tanto el apoyo médico como el social. Dada la obligación de los gobiernos de proporcionar cobertura sanitaria universal y un paquete básico de CP, las organizaciones donantes deberían trabajar con los proveedores de servicios de CP para desarrollar sistemas de apoyo social e iniciativas de educación innovadoras 41–44 .…”

Factors Affecting Palliative Care Development in Africa: In-Country Experts' Perceptions in Seven Countries

“…1,4 However, about half of African countries in 2011 had no identified PC service. 1 Although there is much hope for PC development on the continent, 5 there are many challenges impeding its progress, including disease burden, 6 high morbidity and mortality, 6 lack of funding and resources, 7 and poverty. 6 Global report indicators 1,4,8 clarify the current state of PC development.…”

Availability of palliative care services for children with cancer in economically diverse regions of the world

“…Further, although governments are a major source of funding at all economic levels, additional support is needed for palliative care program development and comfort care medications in low-income countries. Potential sources include nonprofit organizations, international networks, and international funding agencies 10. Institutional “twinning” programs, such as those implemented to treat paediatric cancer, may also be used to improve the quality of paediatric palliative and end-of-life care in impoverished nations 11.…”