Pediatric palliative care in the Middle East

Abstract

In most Middle Eastern countries pediatric palliative care as a special medical discipline is not as yet in existence. In some countries this specialty is in its infancy, and only in a few countries has it become a recognized specialty and is practiced in the major medical centers. The Middle East, as a region, is seeking support to promote professionals: physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, spiritual counselors and art therapists to be well trained and educated in order to initiate such services in pediatric oncology departments in hospitals as well as in the community. It is only recently that Ministries of Health, directors of hospitals and cancer centers, have adopted palliative care, in general, and pediatric palliative care, in particular, as an essential service that deserves the financial and moral support of health providers at all administrative levels. The Middle East Cancer Consortium organizes every year training courses at basic and advanced levels for oncologists (medical, surgical and radiotherapists) pediatric oncologists, anesthesiologists, oncology nurses, pediatric psychologists and social workers, with the goal of enhancing the development of palliative care services in primary, secondary and tertiary levels.