World Health Organization defines palliative care as an approach that improves the quality of life of patients (adults and children) and their families who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness.
Palliative care focuses on the prevention and relief of suffering, through the early identification, correct assessment, and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychological, social, or spiritual. It supports patients to live as actively as possible and also provides support to caregivers and families, including bereavement support.
What palliative care involves
➤ Improves quality of life for patients and their families
➤ Addresses pain and other distressing symptoms, such as breathlessness
➤ Considers needs beyond physical symptoms, including emotional, social, and spiritual concerns
➤ Uses a team-based approach, involving healthcare professionals, support workers, and volunteers
➤ Can be provided alongside other treatments and is most effective when introduced early
Why palliative care matters
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 56.8 million people worldwide need palliative care each year
Only about 14% of people who need palliative care currently receive it
Early palliative care can reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and health-care use
Palliative care is recognised as part of the human right to health
A person-centred approach
Palliative care should be delivered through person-centred and integrated health services, taking into account individual needs, preferences, and dignity. It is an ethical responsibility of health systems and health professionals to ensure access to palliative care for all who need it.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO). Palliative care – Fact sheet. Published 5 August 2020. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care
Palliative & Supportive Care: Making Quality of Life a Priority
In this session, recorded at the 2025 Global Summit, Dr. Christian Ntizimira shares insights from more than his 15 years of work advancing palliative care in Rwanda and across Africa. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the African Center for Research on End-of-Life Care and the author of The Safari Concept: An African Framework on End-of-Life Care. His approach is grounded in the African philosophy of ubuntu, meaning “I am because we are.”
Grounded in the philosophy of ubuntu, this session highlights the importance of care that recognises individuals within the context of their families, communities, cultures, and lived experiences. Dr. Ntizimira challenges narrowly biomedical approaches and presents a vision of palliative care that centres dignity, connection, and quality of life.
The session explores:
- Palliative care as a core component of quality healthcare
- The role of cultural context in communication and decision-making
- Community-centred models that bring care closer to where people live
- Why dignity and quality of life must remain central to care
This session offers valuable perspectives for healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and organisations working to strengthen palliative and supportive care in diverse settings.
Watch the session to learn how Ubuntu-inspired approaches can help strengthen palliative and supportive care for people affected by lymphoma and CLL.