HEALTH Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson says more focus on palliative care will assist in reducing disability from non-communicable diseases, including cancer.

“Palliative care seeks to reduce the severity, particularly as it relates to pain, of the impact of life-threatening diseases and significantly increase the quality of life of persons with serious illnesses such as cancer. This will assist in our quest to reduce disability from non-communicable and other diseases,” Dr Ferguson said, while addressing the just concluded Caribbean Region Palliative Care Conference held at the University of the West Indies.

He added that, traditionally, little priority is placed on pain management with respect to serious illnesses and “we want to move away from that”.

Cancers are among the five leading causes of death, while motor vehicle crashes are among the top ten leading causes. Both are associated with chronic pain. Other conditions such as HIV/AIDS and chronic back pain are also of concern.

“More and more persons in the most productive age group are presenting with these conditions and are involved in motor vehicle crashes, which may result in intense pain. Pain management and palliative care must address patient and family discomfort and restore persons to their productivity level,” he said.

The Caribbean Palliative Care Conference was held under the theme ‘Raising Awareness Through Collaboration, Education and Practice.’