DYING DAYS: SA can't offer dying patients palliative care, but it can offer them death (opens original article in a new tab)

The article highlights the urgent need for palliative care reform in South Africa, emphasizing the importance of dignified end-of-life care and the current failure of the public health system to meet this need.

• A 17-year-old with end-stage liver cancer spent her final months in bed, supported by her family and palliative care team.
• South Africa's public palliative care system failed a WHO audit, with limited access in many regions and patients traveling long distances for treatment.
• Palliative care is essential for managing end-of-life suffering, but the country lacks resources, leading to calls for reform before considering euthanasia.
• The article emphasizes the importance of dignified care, with patients and families valuing support over life-prolonging treatments when facing terminal illness.