Palliative Care Strategy for HIV and other diseases - FHI 360

Palliative care—the combination of measures that relieve suffering and improve
quality of life for those facing life-threatening illness—begins from the point of
diagnosis and continues through death and bereavement. Palliative care is one
of the most important forms of care for individuals with active, progressive, or
far-advanced illness. Yet millions continue to endure pain or distressing psycho-
social and spiritual suffering. Millions more struggle to care for sick loved ones
or grieve their loss. And a vast number of children need palliative care, but their
access to programs is even more limited than for adults.
Family Health International has long recognized the importance of palliative
care in its public health programs. This document defines the need, explains the
technical approach, and suggests illustrative activities for FHI country offices
and implementing partners working toward the goal of providing palliative care
for all chronically ill individuals and their families. The strategy supports adapt-
ing palliative care services to the communities and environments where they are
provided. Whether facility- or community-based, service delivery must meet
the holistic needs of patients and families throughout a continuum of care: from
home to facility and back, and from diagnosis through the course of disease to
death and bereavement.
Family Health International
4401 Wilson Blvd., Suite 700
Arlington, VA 22203 USA
tel +1.703.516.9779
fax +1.703.516.9781
www.fhi.org
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