Palliative care experts advocate for early intervention and improved access

On World Palliative Care Day, medical experts are highlighting the critical importance of palliative care in improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses and their families.

In Latin America, there is a significant gap in access to these services. Data indicates that only 14% of people requiring palliative care receive it effectively, leaving 86% to experience avoidable suffering. In hospital settings, it is estimated that between 37% and 75% of admitted patients require such care, suggesting a need for better resource management and policy implementation, such as Argentina’s National Palliative Care Law.

Medical professionals emphasize that palliative care should not be viewed solely as end-of-life treatment. Instead, it is a holistic approach addressing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. Experts recommend integrating these services early in the diagnosis of serious diseases—alongside treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy—to help patients live better and potentially longer.