Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40556545›Full record

ReviewPalliative & supportive care2025

Decoding the palliative care landscape in Nigeria: Progress, challenges, and the road ahead.

Tajudeen Olasinde, Tonia Onyeka, Adeniyi Adenipekun, Samuel Otene, Victoria Kajang, Olaitan Soyannwo

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Palliative & supportive care, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Tajudeen OlasindeDepartment of Radiation and Clinical Oncology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
Tonia OnyekaPain & Palliative Care Unit, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, EN, Nigeria.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8138-3100
Adeniyi AdenipekunDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, OYO, Nigeria.
Samuel OteneRadiology Department, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, BE, Nigeria.
Victoria KajangMarie Curie Hospice, UK.
Olaitan SoyannwoPalliative Care Project Unit, IAMRAT, College of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPalliative care is a critical component of healthcare, yet its integration into Nigeria's health system remains limited. Despite the growing burden of life-limiting illnesses, palliative care is underdeveloped, primarily restricted to tertiary institutions. This review examines the evolution of palliative care in Nigeria, key milestones, persistent challenges, and future directions for strengthening its implementation.

methodsThis narrative review synthesized historical records, policy documents, and literature on palliative care in Nigeria. It examined leadership roles, institutional efforts, and government policies influencing Palliative care growth, while highlighting implementation gaps and opportunities.

resultsPalliative care in Nigeria has evolved from early grassroots efforts to structured institutional services. Key milestones include the establishment of the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Nigeria (HPCAN), and policy advancements such as the National Policy and Strategic Plan for Hospice and Palliative Care. Despite these developments, challenges persist, including inadequate funding, workforce shortages, limited opioid access, policy implementation gaps, and socio-cultural barriers. Leadership engagement, targeted policy advocacy, and comprehensive capacity-building are essential to overcoming these barriers. SIGNIFICANCE OF

resultsSustained efforts are needed to fully integrate palliative care into Nigeria's healthcare system. Strategic interventions, including enhanced policy implementation, funding mechanisms, workforce development, and community engagement, are critical for ensuring equitable access to PC services. Strengthening collaborations between the government, healthcare institutions, and international partners will accelerate progress, ultimately improving the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Indexed as

Palliative CareHealth PolicyHumansNigeriaChallengesHistoryNigeriaPalliative careProgress

Identifiers

PMID40556545
PMCPMC13166370

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.