Palliative Care, A Reel Challenge in Income and Middle Countries. Example of Morocco

Abstract

The essence of palliative care is to provide health services for managing patient’s symptoms, reduce their pain, and improve their quality of life. In Morocco, the incidence of cancer is increasing; around 50% of patients are diagnosed at advanced stage. For the majority of them, only palliative treatment and pain relief can be considered. This article is interested on the current situation and challenges of palliative care in Morocco. Currently only three centers devoted to palliative care are functional in Morocco, in Rabat and Casablanca with very restricted bed capacity. The area of coverage is very restricted and palliative care services can be provided by medical or radian oncologists affected in different region of the country, which still insufficient. National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan (NCPCP) make the promotion of palliative care as an important and strategic element of healthcare system, the objective is to be aligned on the WHO recommendations to ensure palliative care and pain treatment for all Moroccans whose need it.