Friday, October 6, 2017

Speaking out about the need for pain management in Bangladesh

Recently we published this article (https://tinyurl.com/y8fp7ajr) which describes the incredible burden of pain and other symptoms which are very rarely adequately treated in patients with advanced cancer and other illnesses. 

There are a large number of people living with cancer and other advanced illnesses in Bangladesh. Most of these people will not be able to access cancer treatments which will be curative, as they present very late and cannot be cured. In this situation palliative care can have a huge impact on the suffering which they and their families experience.

We found that 7 out of every 10 patients reported having pain and that it was most often severe.  When we asked whether their pain was adequately treated, we found that 75% still had moderate or severe pain after treatment.  Very few were able to get morphine, which the WHO states is the most appropriate treatment for this type of pain. 

Please check out the new website of the Children's Palliative Care Initiative in Bangladesh which brings together all of our work in one place.



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