Uganda drafts palliative policy
Oct 03, 2006
UGANDA is the first African country to formulate a palliative care policy, a health state minister has said.
By Nicholas Kajoba
UGANDA is the first African country to formulate a palliative care policy, a health state minister has said.
Dr. Richard Nduhuura assured patients and their families that they would access palliative care in all regional hospitals.
Palliative care includes offering oral morphine and counselling the terminally ill.
“The Government complied with the World Health Organisations pre-requisites for the establishment of a palliative care service through availability of essential medicines,†Nduhuura said.
Nduhuura was yesterday launching the palliative care week and Mulago palliative care team at Mulago Hospital.
He was accompanied by the director of planning in the ministry of health, Dr. Lawrence Kaggwa and Mulago Hospital deputy director Dr. Isaac Ezati.
Nduhuura said the Government would avail free drugs for pain and symptom control for patients.
In 2004, Parliament passed a statutory instrument enabling nurses and clinical officers with specialist palliative care training to prescribe oral morphine drugs.
Nduhuura commended Africa Uganda, an NGO and Mildmay for offering palliative care services and education.
UGANDA is the first African country to formulate a palliative care policy, a health state minister has said.
Dr. Richard Nduhuura assured patients and their families that they would access palliative care in all regional hospitals.
Palliative care includes offering oral morphine and counselling the terminally ill.
“The Government complied with the World Health Organisations pre-requisites for the establishment of a palliative care service through availability of essential medicines,†Nduhuura said.
Nduhuura was yesterday launching the palliative care week and Mulago palliative care team at Mulago Hospital.
He was accompanied by the director of planning in the ministry of health, Dr. Lawrence Kaggwa and Mulago Hospital deputy director Dr. Isaac Ezati.
Nduhuura said the Government would avail free drugs for pain and symptom control for patients.
In 2004, Parliament passed a statutory instrument enabling nurses and clinical officers with specialist palliative care training to prescribe oral morphine drugs.
Nduhuura commended Africa Uganda, an NGO and Mildmay for offering palliative care services and education.