The Senate approved this Wednesday (22) the bill (PL) that creates the National Palliative Care Programwhose focus is alleviate suffering and improve the quality of life of patients with serious and progressive illnesses, family members and caregivers with assistance actions. The program will be financed by the Union, the states, the Federal District and the municipalities. The text now returns to the Chamber of Deputies.
According to the rapporteur, Senator Otto Alencar (PSD-BA), the measure aims to prevent and alleviate the physical, psychological, social and spiritual suffering of patients, in addition to improving the quality of life and supporting both patients and their families, especially in cases of diseases that threaten the continuity of life.
“Like other countries that have long ago issued consolidated regulations in the area, Brazil is taking a big step towards guaranteeing the dignity and quality of life of its citizens. All over the world, palliative care has been recognized as an essential part of quality health systems”, he argued.
The project foresees that patients will have the right to palliative care appropriate to the complexity of the situation, provided by a multidisciplinary team; to be informed about their clinical status; to participate in decisions about palliative care; and privacy and confidentiality regarding personal data.
In relation to family members, the proposal establishes that they must receive adequate support; obtain information about the patient’s clinical status, if desired; and participate in decisions about palliative care, primarily respecting the patient’s wishes.
According to the text, the program must provide training to professionals on the subject, provide medicines considered essential and organize procedures for the permanent presence of a caregiver in the hospital or guarantee the right to visit via video call, if there is a medical contraindication to the physical presence of the family.
In his report, Otto Alencar mentions a study published in 2023 by the University of Singapore School of Medicine. According to the document, the United Kingdom is the country with the best quality of palliative care in the world. Brazil ranked 79th among the 81 countries evaluated.
“The implementation of comprehensive public policies, such as those observed in the United Kingdom, which prioritize investment in infrastructure, training of health professionals and awareness campaigns, would certainly contribute to improving the quality of palliative care in the country. In the Brazilian context, the absence of specific regulation contributed to the delay in the evolution of palliative care within the health system, as well as to unequal and often inadequate access to this care”, evaluated.
