Federal Government Announces Plans To Review Cancer Care Policy

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to review the National Policy and Strategic Plan for Hospice and Palliative Care 2021, aiming to enhance the quality of life for cancer patients. Dr. Uchechukwu Nwokwu, the National Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme, disclosed this information during an interview with NAN in Abuja……CONTINUE READING

The policy, inaugurated in 2021, was designed to institutionalize hospice and palliative care services throughout Nigeria. According to the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care, such care focuses on providing holistic support to individuals, especially those nearing the end of life, and addresses various domains causing suffering, including end-of-life care, loss, grief, and bereavement.

Although the policy is already in implementation, Dr. Nwokwu acknowledged that it has not reached the expected scale. He expressed certainty that by 2024, the document would undergo review, assessing the country’s implementation level and identifying areas for improvement.

Dr. Nwokwu emphasized that palliative care is essential for terminal illnesses, not limited to cancer, as it helps individuals with long-lasting health challenges. The policy outlines the integration of palliative care from the point of diagnosis, involving psychosocial and faith-based support.

The National Coordinator highlighted the importance of involving religious leaders for moral and psychological support, catering to individuals’ specific needs and beliefs. He explained that palliative care is meant to start from diagnosis and continue throughout the end of life, including bereavement support for families.

Dr. Nwokwu addressed the issue of late cancer diagnoses, attributing them to a lack of awareness and inadequate facilities for early detection. He stressed the need to integrate palliative care services into primary levels of care to enhance understanding and provide necessary support. The policy aims to integrate hospice and palliative care services at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of healthcare.

In addition, Dr. Nwokwu emphasized the significance of training healthcare providers at hospice homes and primary health care centers to ensure effective implementation. He suggested referring in-patients with terminal illnesses to hospice centers for palliative care, reducing the financial burden on hospital resources.

The policy’s overarching goal is to provide a comprehensive framework for integrating palliative care services at various levels of healthcare, ultimately improving the quality of life for patients dealing with serious health-related suffering.