On October 26, 2025, in Cairo, Egypt, a significant resolution aimed at enhancing palliative care in the Eastern Mediterranean was endorsed at the Regional Committee meeting. This decision marks a vital change in how the region supports people dealing with serious illnesses, frailty, and chronic conditions.
During the meeting, Dr. Lamia Mahmoud shared alarming data: 2.4 million individuals in the region need palliative care each year, but fewer than 1% get it. Many barriers exist, including humanitarian crises and a misunderstanding that palliative care is only for end-of-life situations.
The new resolution pushes for practical steps to improve care, such as:
- Incorporating palliative care into national health plans.
- Ensuring access to essential medications, especially oral opioids.
- Including basic palliative care training for all health workers.
- Recognizing the need for specialized training.
- Encouraging home-based care and community involvement.
- Creating robust monitoring systems to track progress.
Palliative care is about more than easing suffering; it can also enhance treatment outcomes and boost patient satisfaction. Integrating it early on gives healthcare workers crucial skills in communication and symptom management. This patient-centered approach nurtures teamwork and fairness within the healthcare system.
Importantly, experts agree that a systems-wide approach is essential for palliative care to thrive. It should be part of every level of healthcare, from hospitals to home care. Educating families and clearing up misconceptions are vital for ensuring patients get the care they truly need, rather than waiting until all other options are exhausted.
Research indicates that introducing palliative care early can lower healthcare costs by up to 30%. This not only benefits patients but also eases the financial burden on healthcare systems.
The resolution came after extensive discussions with 22 nations, focusing on areas like governance, service delivery, and community engagement. It builds on previous efforts, like the WHA Resolution 67.19 from 2014, and draws from recent publications on health issues in the region.
In the meeting, countries shared their strides in integrating palliative care:
- Jordan focused on supporting refugees.
- The UAE positioned palliative care as a right, expanding it into primary health services.
- Iraq is shifting its focus from just curing to also caring.
- Kuwait praised its pediatric home-care program and highlighted the need for regional collaboration.
- Egypt called for sustainable actions and community support.
- Pakistan recognized its challenges but included palliative care in its national plans.
- Oman pointed out the need for legal reforms with WHO’s assistance.
- Bahrain and several other countries shared experiences in digital health and integrated care.
These conversations underscore a collective commitment to make palliative care a foundational element of dignified healthcare in the region.
Dr. Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, stated, “Palliative care is not a challenge; it’s a solution. We must ensure that those who need care receive it.” The urgency for action has never been more critical.
For more detailed information on global health initiatives, the [World Health Organization](https://www.who.int/) serves as a trusted resource for the latest updates and research findings.
