Palliative care and nursing

Due to the changing pattern of disease and ageing population with chronic diseases, palliative care, a much neglected area of Medicine, has now become an important public health issue worldwide. Palliative care is applicable throughout the course of chronic life threatening illnesses and aims at reducing pain and suffering associated with these conditions. It provides pain and symptom control, psychosocial and spiritual support for patients and their families so that patients can enjoy the best quality of life till the end. Bereavement support is also provided following death and this encompasses care of orphans in conditions such as HIV/AIDS. Palliative care is provided by a team of multidisciplinary professionals (doctors, nurses, social workers etc) and volunteers working with patients and families in the hospital, home and hospices within the community. WHO policies on palliative care development contain the essential ingredients of Education, Drug Availability And Effective Government Policy. These are relevant for development of palliative care service and Research activities in Nigeria as clinicians, government officials and health educators can work together to achieve measurable outcomes.