Integration of Palliative Care into African Health Systems: A Systematic Review of Barriers, Facilitators and Policy Implications

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of adults and children with life threatening illnesses, as well as that of their families (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2021). It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, assessment and treatment of pain and other physical, psychological, social and spiritual concerns (WHO, 2021). Palliative care is not limited to the final days of life. It can begin when a serious illness is diagnosed and continue alongside treatment for the underlying condition. It is therefore an important part of comprehensive and people centred health care (Afolabi et al., 2021; WHO, 2020). Globally, an estimated 56.8 million people require palliative care each year (WHO, 2020). However, studies on the integration of palliative care into African health systems remain limited, and the available evidence is unevenly distributed across countries and service settings. This systematic review aims to synthesise evidence on the integration of palliative care into African health systems. It will identify the barriers and facilitators that influence integration and examine their policy implications. The review will also assess how integration has been implemented across countries and levels of care. Its findings may guide policy development, workforce preparation, resource allocation and access to essential medicines. They may also support the inclusion of palliative care within primary health care and universal health coverage programmes