Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41840635›Full record

ArticleBMC palliative care2026

Children's palliative care in Ghana: a situational analysis.

Julia Downing, Emmanuel A Adongo, Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Lorna A Renner, Nihad Salifu, Vivian Paintsil, Wallace A Odiko-Ollennu, Alex Daniels, Lizzie Chambers, Barbara O Sekyere

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC palliative care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

10 authors.

Julia DowningInternational Children's Palliative Care Network, Durban South Africa and Bristol, UK. julia.downing@icpcn.org.
Emmanuel A AdongoWorld Child Cancer, Accra, Ghana.
Patrick Kuma-AboagyeGhana Health Service, Accra, Ghana.
Lorna A RennerKorle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
Nihad SalifuGreater Accra Regional Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
Vivian PaintsilKomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.
Wallace A Odiko-OllennuGhana Health Service, Accra, Ghana.
Alex DanielsInternational Children's Palliative Care Network, Durban South Africa and Bristol, UK.
Lizzie ChambersInternational Children's Palliative Care Network, Durban South Africa and Bristol, UK.
Barbara O SekyereKomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThere is a growing recognition of the worldwide unmet need for children's palliative care (CPC) with over 21 million children globally needing access to palliative care. This unmet need means that children are subject to needless suffering and that their families are lacking the care and support that they need. Thus, the first ever CPC situational analysis was undertaken in Ghana to assess the need for CPC, along with current provision in Ghana, in order to make recommendations for service development.

methodsA qualitative approach was used. Two focus group discussions were held with 21 participants, followed by 17 interviews with a view to understanding the current situation for CPC in Ghana, the challenges for provision and to make recommendations for future developments.

resultsThree overall themes, with associated sub-themes were identified: (1) CPC in Ghana, which included: understanding of palliative care; the background; need for CPC; and funding. (2) The WHO Conceptual model, which included: empowered communities; health policy; research; access to medicines; education and training; and service provision. (3) Going Forward, which included: challenges, commitment, roles and recommendations. Recommendations are aimed at: the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Services; hospitals and service providers; education providers; researchers; and donors.

conclusionThere was widespread commitment for the development of CPC, with this study providing a baseline for CPC development, building the evidence base and providing insight into CPC development and it's challenges within Ghana. The recommendations provide a roadmap for CPC development aligned with Ghana's five-year palliative care strategy. Implementing these recommendations can transform CPC in Ghana, ensuring that all children in need, and their families, receive high-quality care that improves quality of life and reduces suffering.

Indexed as

Palliative CarePediatricsChildFocus GroupsGhanaHealth Services AccessibilityHealth Services Needs and DemandHumansQualitative ResearchChildren’s palliative careGhanaNeeds AssessmentPaediatricPediatricQualitativeSub-Saharan Africa

Identifiers

PMID41840635
PMCPMC13104209

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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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.