Strengthening of Palliative Care as a Component of Comprehensive Care Throughout the Life Course
The Sixty-seventh World Health Assembly,
Having considered the report on strengthening of palliative care as a component of integrated treatment throughout the life course;1
Recalling resolution WHA58.22 on cancer prevention and control, especially as it relates to palliative care;
Taking into account the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s Commission on Narcotic Drugs’ resolutions 53/4 and 54/6 respectively on promoting adequate availability of internationally controlled licit drugs for medical and scientific purposes while preventing their diversion and abuse, and promoting adequate availability of internationally controlled narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes while preventing their diversion and abuse;
Acknowledging the special report of the International Narcotics Control Board on the availability of internationally controlled drugs: ensuring adequate access for medical and scientific purposes,2 and the WHO guidance on ensuring balance in national policies on controlled substances: guidance for availability and accessibility of controlled medicines;3
Also taking into account resolution 2005/25 of the United Nations Economic and Social Council on treatment of pain using opioid analgesics;
Bearing in mind that palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients (adults and children) and their families who are facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual;