Challenges and Barriers in the Provision of Palliative Care in Nigeria: Implications and Consequences

Abstract

Palliative care enhances the quality of life for patients and their families by preventing and reducing pain and suffering. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), just 14% of the 40 million people worldwide who require palliative care receive it, indicating that there are obstacles in providing palliative care. The objective of this review is to analyze the challenges and barriers to providing palliative care, as well as its implications for patients with chronic illnesses. Literature from published research related to the review was evaluated using keywords such as challenges, provision, palliative care, and older population utilizing search engines such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. The literature was compiled and reviewed for eligibility to capture just the variables mentioned in this article; the period span used in the literature search was 2013–2023. There are numerous challenges to providing palliative care, including patient-related barriers such as cultural beliefs and a lack of financial support, as well as health-care provider barriers, most notably communication challenges among healthcare professionals, patients, their families, ethical challenges. There are significant disparities in the kind of health issues that palliative care addresses. Addressing the problems and impediments to palliative care involves a multifaceted strategy that includes healthcare professionals, lawmakers, educators, and the community. By recognizing and actively working to remove these barriers, the healthcare system can improve the quality of life for those suffering from serious diseases while also ensuring that palliative care is accessible and comprehensive to everyone who needs it.