The 2023 WHO report “Left behind in Pain” found that 8/10 persons in LMICs suffer from a lack of safe access to morphine for medical needs.

Addressing this global inequity entails promoting multi-sectoral approaches that require the social, political, structural, environmental, and commercial determinants of health to support person- rather than profit-centered, health systems.

Inequitable access to resources even affects the WHO. Recently, lack of funds led to cancellation of an EMRO regional workshop on essential palliative care opioids.

Integrating system-wide, community-based approaches to palliative care requires member states to promote health literacy, workforce education, and local service delivery.

Leveraging on-the-ground CSO capacity to augment health promotion, education and care provision is critical to reducing health related suffering, the mission of palliative care.