Government is committed to promoting and integrating palliative care

Mr Munkombwe said there was need for Government institutions, non-Governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as faith-based organisations to join efforts in providing quality palliative care in the country.

He said this in Livingstone on Saturday during commemoration of the World Hospice and Palliative Care in a speech read for him by Livingstone General Hospital medical superintendent Namani Monze.

Mr Munkombwe said the Government appreciated the role the Roman Catholic Church played in providing quality palliative care.

“I wish to urge everyone in Southern Province and Government entities, NGOs, the business community and faith-based organisations to join efforts in providing quality palliative care,” he said.

Mr Munkombwe said even people without experience in palliative care could do something to support hospices and palliative care within their families and communities.

“Even if you have no experience in palliative care, you can still do something to support the hospices and palliative care within your family and communities,” Mr Munkombwe said.

Palliative Care national coordinator Njekwa Lumbwe said palliative care was an approach that improved the quality of life of patients and their families facing problems associated with life threatening illnesses.

Ms Lumbwe said Zambia faced a huge challenge in addressing issues that had been brought about by a drastic increase in communicable and non-communicable diseases globally.

“Zambia today faces a huge challenge in addressing the issues that have been brought by the drastic increases in communicable and non-communicable diseases globally.

“Today Zambia has the second highest rate of cervical cancer prevalence in Africa alone,” Ms Lumbwe said.