Unfortunately, only a small minority have access to the care they need. In India, it is estimated that less than 1% of the population who need it have access to palliative care.
Why care is needed
Palliative care improves the quality of life of patients and families who are affected by life-limiting illness, by providing pain and symptom relief and spiritual and psychosocial support from diagnosis to the end of life and bereavement.
Barriers to providing care
There are numerous barriers to the provision of hospice and palliative care, particularly in settings where resources are limited. These include:
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lack of funding
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lack of trained health professionals
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neglect of hospice and palliative care in policy at global and national level
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poor access to medications, particularly opioids.
Despite the barriers to service provision, hospice and palliative care providers worldwide have shown that quality care can be provided to patients and their families and carers, even when resources are extremely limited.
Help the Hospices, in collaboration with our partners around the world, seeks to support the development of hospice and palliative care worldwide to ensure more people can access the care and support that they need.
Further information
To find out more information, read our facts and figures document.
