Deconstructing Palliative Care in Areas of Armed Conflict: Needs, Challenges, and Concerns

Abstract

Palliative care services are considered one of the key pillars of the healthcare system that play a significant role in enhancing the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being of patients with life-threatening illnesses. Despite the critical benefits of provision of palliative care services within the healthcare system, these services have not been officially introduced within the Gaza strip. This region has experienced protracted conflict for the past seven decades. There are many challenges that hinder the provision of palliative care services within Gaza’s healthcare system, including socioeconomic conditions, infrastructure, cultural considerations, quality of health services, and health workforce ability. This chapter provides a comprehensive discussion of the current situation of the healthcare system in the Gaza Strip within the predominant biopolitical discourse and the challenges hindering the provision of palliative care and presents recommendations on possible courses of action for the provision of palliative care services in the Gaza Strip.