World Hospice and Palliative Care Day: Dignity in End-of-Life Care

This article was exclusively written for European Sting by Mr. Nogan Mpanjo, a sixth-year medical student from Cameroon passionate about global health, global surgery, and neurosurgery. He is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Each year, World Hospice and Palliative Care Day invites us to reflect on how societies care for those approaching life’s end. The 2025 theme, “Dignity in End-of-Life Care,” reminds us that while medicine strives to cure, it must also learn to comfort — to preserve personhood, even when life cannot be prolonged.

I was recently confronted with this truth in the most personal way. My grandmother’s final days were marked by severe infection and progressive organ failure. Despite her suffering, what struck me most was how her comfort and dignity depended not only on medication, but on simple human presence — gentle cleaning, relieving her breath, moistening her lips, and holding her hand through silence. These acts, though seemingly small, embodied the essence of palliative care: respect, compassion, and relief of suffering.

Palliative care is often mistaken for ‘giving up’, but in truth, it is about giving meaning to life when illness threatens to take it away. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), palliative care improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing life-threatening illness by addressing physical, psychosocial, and spiritual challenges — reflecting the holistic vision of health and dignity for all

Every year, an estimated 56.8 million people require palliative care, including 25.7 million in their last year of life. Yet, only about 14% receive it, most of whom live in high-income countries. In contrast, 98% of children needing palliative care live in low- and middle-income regions like Africa. Behind these statistics are countless families—like mine—facing the challenge of easing suffering with limited resources and little professional guidance.

Pain and breathlessness are among the most frequent and distressing symptoms at the end of life. WHO estimates that up to 80% of patients with cancer or AIDS experience moderate to severe pain before death, often without access to essential opioids such as morphine. Restrictive regulations, fear of addiction, and lack of training among health workers continue to deprive millions of a dignified, pain-free death. This is not just a medical failure—it is a human rights issue, as palliative care is explicitly recognized under the right to health.

True dignity in end-of-life care means more than managing physical symptoms. It is about compassion, communication, and presence. It is about ensuring that a patient—like my grandmother—can live her final days surrounded by love, not fear; comfort, not isolation. It is about a system where doctors, nurses, social workers, volunteers, and families work together to uphold humanity, even in dying.

As populations age and noncommunicable diseases rise, the need for palliative care will continue to grow. The time to act is now: to integrate palliative care into primary health systems, train professionals, and make essential medicines accessible to all. Because every person, regardless of wealth or geography, deserves to live well until they die.

About the author

Nogan Mpanjo is a sixth-year medical student from Cameroon passionate about global health, global surgery, and neurosurgery. He is affiliated with CAMSA (Cameroon Medical Students’ Association) and has held leadership roles as Local Exchange Officer and Public Relations and Communication Officer in the Standing Committee on Professional Exchange (SCOPE). Beyond academics, He enjoys singing and exploring creative outlets that balance his medical training. He aspires to build a career that combines advanced clinical practice in neurosurgery with contributions to global health initiatives, advocating for equitable and sustainable healthcare systems worldwide.