Report on palliative care development in Benin based on WHO indicators

Abstract

Palliative care (PC) is increasingly seen as a global health issue. This report examines the current state of PC in Benin, Africa, and the challenges the country faces in providing accessible and effective PC to its citizens. It has been estimated that more than 62,000 Beninese people need PC every year. The report highlights the importance of PC and the efforts of organisations such as the World Health Assembly, the Lancet Commission and the Astana Declaration to encourage governments to integrate PC into their health plans and make it accessible to all. A two-day hybrid meeting was organised in Cotonou by the WHO Collaborating Centre ATLANTES with WHO-Geneva, WHO-AFRO and WHO-Benin to examine and adapt a set of indicators to cultural realities. The WHO chose Benin and involved stakeholders from the health system, secondary education, vocational training and higher education sectors, as well as the Benin PC Association. ATLANTES provided a data collection tool based on the WHO Conceptual Framework and a four-level rating system: early, intermediate, established and advanced stage. The report highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each indicator and provides a summary of the level of implementation in each area.