Philosophy, ethics, and humanities in medicine : PEHM
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Philos Ethics Humanit Med · Jul 2010
Editorial Historical ArticlePain control in the African context: the Ugandan introduction of affordable morphine to relieve suffering at the end of life.
Dr Anne Merriman is the founder of Hospice Africa and Hospice Africa Uganda. She is presently Director of Policy and International Programmes. Here she tells the story of how HAU was founded. ⋯ Oral affordable morphine was brought to Kenya through Nairobi Hospice that year, and to Uganda through Hospice Africa Uganda in 1993. This paper offers an example of a highly effective and cost efficient model of care that has transformed the ability to humanely manage the problems of those with terminal illness, and to offer a culturally appropriate "good death". Thus it is now possible to complete the ethical circle of care in resource poor circumstances.