National palliative care strategic plan (2025 -2029)

Abstract

Palliative care supports the person with a life-limiting illness and their family to offer care and support; it is a concept that not only addresses pain and symptom control but also considers the psychosocial and emotional suffering of the seriously ill person and supports the family as they care for their loved one. Palliative care for children is defined as “The active total care of the child's body, mind and spirit, and also involves giving support to the family. It begins when illness is diagnosed and continues regardless of whether or not a child receives treatment directed at the disease” (WHO, 2023).