The Ghana Palliative Care Association (GPCA) has appealed to the government, specifically through agencies like the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, to integrate palliative care services into Ghana’s healthcare system.
Palliative care offers comprehensive support (physical, emotional, social) for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families, improving quality of life. Misconceptions abound, but early intervention can lead to longer, better lives.
Speaking at the launch of October for Palliative Care Excellence in Ghana 2025 at Ministry of Health, Winifred Nana Yaa Otoo, Executive Secretary of GPCA, this inclusion would help extend reach to a broader population, foster awareness, and deliver comprehensive care to individuals dealing with life-limiting illnesses.
Dr. Bisi Adewale Assani, NEC member and Chair of the Research Committee of the Ghana Palliative Care Association, emphasized that palliative care requires a multidisciplinary approach.
She highlighted that this approach should encompass not just medical practitioners, but also involve social workers and legal practitioners.
She emphasized that palliative care is a specialist care that provides total support for individuals living with incurable diseases.
Report by Bernard K Dadzie, Greater Accra Region
