Provision of Palliative Care Services in Dar Es Salaam the Case of Kinondoni District

Abstract

Palliative care service is crucial across the globe due to the rapid increase of cancer, HIV/ AIDS and other diseases leading to terminal illness. Despite the dire need for palliative care, ineffective provision of this service has continued to threaten the lives of terminal patients worldwide. Healthcare workers’ and community knowledge and perception on palliative care is low and there are no policies for the same in Tanzania. This study generally assessed the effectiveness of palliative care services in Dar es Salaam with an emphasis on Kinondoni Municipal Council. It focused on the knowledge of health workers and community about palliative care; it determined palliative care accessibility and examined existence of its policies. 50 respondents, namely, Healthcare workers, Home Based Care Workers, terminal patients, Care Givers, Community Leaders and Municipal Health Officials. Data collection was done through questionnaires, interviews observation, review of secondary data and Focus group discussion (FGD) then qualitatively analysed using Nivo data software. The level of knowledge and perception about palliative care services among the healthcare workers was limited to 60 percent. Accessibility and availability of palliative care was generally unsatisfactory. There was insufficient opportunity for spiritual support and counselling for terminal patients to air their last wishes. Community’s attitude towards palliative care was poor and there wasn’t palliative care policy in Tanzania. In order to maintain the effectiveness of palliative care it is imperative to have a policy, adequate funding, capacity building and education for community and health workers.