Cancer is on the increase in all African countries.

With the  improved sanitation and the explosionof AIDS with its associated cancers, the causes of death are now changing. In those countries without disasters of war or famine, cancer is the first or second cause of death. Unfortunately less than 10% of resources committed to cancer control are available to patients in the developing world where the biggest increase in cancer is taking place.

Thus patients seek medical care with already advanced cancers and with severe consequences of pain, symptoms and gross disfigurement. Most are sent home from conventional medical establishments and clinics with a few simple analgesics at the most, as there is nothing left to be done for them. This leads to untold suffering for the patient and family.

AIDS has brought an epidemic of death and increased the urgency for palliative care services not only in hospitals but in the community and reaching to village level where up to 57% of the population may never see a health professional. Palliative care must reach these people through training of health and non health professionals who live in the villages.