The challenges of palliative care faced in Lithuania

Abstract

Lithuania is a country which has lost its tradition to look to death as a natural process, tradition to die at home, tradition of volunteering. So it was very difficult to establish palliative care services in our country when we gained our independence in 1990. The first steps of PC in Lithuania were based by enthusiasm of single persons: - Kaunas Nursing Hospital was established by initiative charitable organization Caritas in 1993; one of its tasks was to offer PC services; - subdivision of Pain and Palliative therapy was organized in Vilnius Oncology Institute in 1995; - Lithuanian Palliative Medicine Association was founded in 1995; - Charitable Organization Caritas fulfilled project “Home Palliative Care” in 2001; - Palliative Care service was organized in the Center of integrated Services in city Panevezys in 2003. The Palliative Care education for nursing and medicine students started in Kaunas University of Medicine. The first strategic document regulating Palliative Care in Lithuania was the program of the Prophylaxis and Control of Cancer (2003); it was mentioned that palliative treatment and care of oncology patients can be offered in oncological institutions and nursing hospitals. Other documents of Health Ministry of Lithuania regulated prescription of drugs (2005-2006). Palliative Care was legalized on January 11th, 2007 as separate service for adults and children by the Health Ministry of Lithuania. Accreditation of Palliative Care services was confirmed on February 14th, 2007. Basic costs of different forms for PC services (inpatient, outpatient, day care, home care, mobile team) were set for adults and children in May 16th, 2008. Conclusion: In these days we have the time for creation of contemporary Palliative Care in Lithuania. God bless us.