Integrating Palliative Care into the Health System in Lebanon

Abstract

Palliative care (PC) is becoming more and more necessary in Lebanon as a result of the country's rapidly ageing population and high non-communicable disease (NCD) burden. An estimated 15,000 individuals need PC treatments each year; as the population ages and the frequency of NCDs increases, this number is predicted to increase. However, these services are not sufficiently provided by the present health system. This policy brief suggests a thorough method for incorporating PCs into the healthcare system. First and foremost, hospitals and primary healthcare facilities ought to incorporate PC services, such as basic PC packages and advance care planning, which have been demonstrated to enhance patient outcomes and save expenses. Second, it is essential to provide home-based PCs since they are associated with improved symptom management, economic savings, and cultural preferences. Third, the quality of care can be raised by improving PC education and training for medical staff at all levels. Lastly, increasing public knowledge of PC's advantages will facilitate access and provide communities more decision-making authority. These components are essential for enhancing PC integration in Lebanon, as are considerations at the organisational, system, professional, and patient levels.