A Fundamental Human Right: Expanding Access to Palliative Care for Children in Ukraine During Wartime

msalek123

Jun 30

There is a growing number of children diagnosed with chronic illness around the world. Palliative care is an evidence based and proven to improve the outcomes for these children. It is recognized as a key component of medical care as well as the ethical responsibility of health systems by the World Health Organization. Despite this, palliative care is not accessible to most children globally.

This is also true in Ukraine, where the provision of pediatric palliative care is not widespread or uniform. Although national legislation references palliative care, there are no national laws specific to palliative care or end of life management, and there is no national palliative care strategy. Estimates generated by the Ukrainian Center for Social Data suggest that there are at least 250 000 children (or 1 in 30) annually in need of specialized palliative care. A report conducted by European Association in Palliative Care in 2019 reported that there were only three inpatient hospices, six home programs, and three hospital programs in Ukraine.

The humanitarian crisis due to the expanded Russian invasion late February has only exacerbated this health care inequity. War has left Ukraine's most vulnerable populations at risk, evidenced in the intentional disruption and destruction of basic health services . Expansion of palliative care services is crucial, given the core tenants of this subspecialty focus on alleviating suffering and dignifying death.

Despite war, palliative care capacity for vulnerable children can be expanded through education and providing platforms for clinicians to share their experiences and needs. Likewise, humanitarian aid can be used to purchase medication and equipment to ensure that high quality care can continue. Ukrainian clinicians and non-government organizations (NGOs) should feel empowered to advocate for increased palliative care funding and services by contacting their Ministry of Health, to ensure that palliative care is not forgotten and resources are not siphoned to other areas of need. International organizations and NGOs should be ready to mobilize support based on needs voiced by Ukrainian colleagues. Collaboration and strength of support demonstrates that war will never win and is never the answer, especially at the expense of vulnerable populations of children.

Text Box: Ukrainian child diagnosed with cancer in refugee center in Poland, supported by collaboration of international organizations.

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