End-of-Life Challenges for Terminally Ill Patients in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan’s Cancer Patients in Need of Hospice Care
With over 133,000 cancer patients in Uzbekistan, including more than 4,000 in the final stages of the disease, the need for hospice care has become a pressing issue in the country. Apart from Samarkand and Khorezm, there are no hospices available, leaving many patients and their families to suffer both physically and emotionally. A recent viral case on social media brought attention to this issue when an elderly homeless cancer patient was abandoned in an apartment building entrance.
The video of this terminal cancer patient being turned away by hospitals for four hours sparked outrage and prompted a discussion organized by Kun.uz on the state of oncology in Uzbekistan. The discussion included officials from the Ministry of Health and oncologists who shed light on the challenges faced by patients and the reasons behind the delay in opening hospices.
The actions of the medical personnel involved in the case were scrutinized during the discussion. While some defended the actions as necessary due to the lack of immediate emergency, others pointed out the need for better coordination and support for terminally ill patients. It was highlighted that the absence of hospices in Uzbekistan contributes to such incidents, as patients are often left without adequate care and support.
The lack of hospices not only puts a strain on the healthcare system but also on the patients and their families who are left to navigate their final days without proper resources. Oncologists emphasized the importance of having dedicated facilities for terminally ill patients to receive the appropriate care and support they need.
The discussion concluded with a call for the completion of hospices in Uzbekistan to ensure that patients like the one in the viral case receive the care and compassion they deserve. Until this gap is addressed, similar cases will continue to arise, underscoring the urgent need for hospice care in the country.
