EPCL - Enhancing palliative care in Lao PDR: Addressing the unmet need

Palliative care is a fundamental right that allows people with cancer to die with dignity and without unnecessary suffering. Health and social systems should fulfill the fundamental right to die with dignity and without avoidable suffering, regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status. However, there is a massive gap in palliative care provision, with only 14% of those in need receiving it and the demand for palliative care doubling by 2060. In low resource settings such as Lao PDR, the reality of palliative care for patients with advanced and irreversible diseases turns catastrophic. For governments to design palliative care interventions, it is essential to understand the demand for services and the reach of the current service.

To estimate the burden of advanced and irreversible diseases, a cross-sectional survey will be conducted with a representative sample of deaths. Verbal autopsy involves interviewing family members to understand the cause of death when official medical certification is unavailable. The study will also assess the current and future demand for palliative care by analyzing data collected. To estimate unmet needs, the study engages village health volunteers in routine household visits to identify patients requiring palliative care. A random sample is selected to assess the frequency, duration, and severity of symptoms, along with factors influencing suffering and differences in quality of life. The interdisciplinary team, comprising mortality researchers, cancer experts, and disease modelers, aims to bridge the gap in palliative care provision by addressing the prevalence and scale of unmet needs in communities where mortality information systems are non-functional. Overall, the project strives to inform policies and interventions that enhance palliative care, emphasizing the importance of dignity and reduced suffering for individuals facing challenging health conditions in Lao PDR and beyond.

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