How to Integrate Palliative Care Into Primary Health Care

Integration of Palliative Care into Primary Health Care will have a substantial amount of positive impact on Health Care in Nakuru County, Kenya. Consequently, all aspects of Palliative Care should be given to more than 2/3 population that suffer from cancers and chronic illnesses which sometimes overflow to some acute conditions. While Palliative Care focuses on Holistic Care encompassing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects to adults and children, Primary Health Care operates on the principles of equity, solidarity, universal access to services, multisectoral action, social justice, centralization, and community participation. Thus, there are similarities in Palliative Care and Primary Health Care putting into consideration that the latter is based on practical, scientifically sound and socially accepted methods and technology. It is affordable, universally accessible to individuals and families in the community. Universal Health Coverage ensures that all people and communities have access to promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative health services they need, of sufficient quality to be effective while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the users to financial hardships. The 60% of the Nakuru County population are in need of Palliative Care services, but only about 20% access these services. They suffer from cancers, non-communicable diseases, dementia, and frailty. Geographical challenges, staff shortages, and lack of Palliative Care knowledge are the main barriers to provision of care.

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