From the Research
Palliative care in Malaysia is still in the early stages of development, with significant challenges persisting, including limited resources and geographical disparities, as evident from the most recent study in 2023 1. The current context of palliative care in Malaysia is characterized by a combination of hospital-based services, community outreach programs, and hospice care, with both public and private healthcare sectors involved.
- Key features of the Malaysian palliative care system include:
- Hospital-based services: providing medical and nursing care to patients with life-limiting illnesses
- Community outreach programs: offering support and care to patients in their homes
- Hospice care: providing specialized care to patients with terminal illnesses
- Despite efforts by the Malaysian government to improve palliative care, challenges persist, including:
- Limited resources: inadequate funding, infrastructure, and personnel
- Geographical disparities: unequal access to palliative care services in urban and rural areas
- Cultural factors: influencing end-of-life care decisions and care preferences
- The most recent study in 2023 1 highlights the limited development of palliative care services in Malaysian public hospitals, with only 25.8% of hospitals having formal palliative care services.
- However, the same study notes that the majority of hospitals have essential medications, including oral morphine, available for pain management.
- The development of palliative care in Malaysia requires increased advocacy, specialized education, and cooperation between different sectors, as recommended by a 2019 study 2.
- A multidisciplinary approach, involving doctors, nurses, social workers, and religious counselors, is essential to address the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of patients with life-limiting illnesses.
- Understanding the concept of hope in palliative care, as explored in a 2022 study 3, can help healthcare providers develop strategies to foster hope in patients and improve their quality of life.