Francophone Africa Lags in Palliative Care

Why this is here: Approximately 77% of the countries studied do not have specialized palliative care services for children, leaving a vulnerable population without critical support.

A team of researchers evaluated palliative care structures in 22 Francophone African countries. The study, published in Médecine Palliative in 2026, used indicators from the World Health Organization to assess six dimensions of care—policy, access to medicine, training, research, specialized services, and community support. They found that three out of four countries are at the lowest level of development in palliative care, with only Morocco reaching an “established” level.

Access to essential medicines like oral morphine is limited due to restrictive regulations and a lack of training for healthcare workers. The study highlights a historical imbalance, with Anglophone African countries receiving more international support for palliative care initiatives. Between 2017 and 2023, Anglophone African nations published roughly fifteen times more scientific articles on the topic than their Francophone counterparts.

Morocco and Benin offer examples of progress through regulatory reform and local morphine production. However, 77% of the countries studied lack specialized pediatric palliative care services, and many lack age-appropriate medication formulations. The researchers emphasize the need for political recognition and integration of palliative care into national healthcare systems.