Silent suffering: Status of pediatric palliative care services in Pakistan

Abstract

This article sheds light on Pakistan's challenging healthcare landscape, focusing on the underdeveloped state of pediatric palliative care (PPC). Despite being the fifth most populous country, Pakistan allocates minimal resources to its healthcare system, resulting in severe shortages of healthcare professionals. The scarcity of PPC services, exacerbated by cultural, social, and financial factors, poses substantial challenges to providing quality end-of-life care to children. However, the article also offers a glimpse of hope, highlighting the growing awareness among healthcare providers and ongoing efforts to bridge the gaps in PPC services, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of life for those in need.