Directive on Hospice Care

The Health Ministry has sent official directives to all universities of medical sciences, asking them to set up hospice care centers across the country. Hospice care is a type of care and philosophy of care that focuses on the palliation of a chronically ill, terminally ill or seriously ill patient’s pain and symptoms, and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs. Such institutions may provide care mostly in an end-of-life setting, but they may also be available for patients with other specific palliative care needs. The directive asks all universities to set up at least one hospice care center for every 50,000 people, the ministry’s official news portal ‘Webda’ said Saturday.  Centers that provide in-home care of ill or elderly people with a good record can also apply for establishing a hospice.