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APCA Atlas of Palliative Care in Africa

APCA Atlas

2025 Edition Now Available

Mapping Palliative Care Across Africa

The APCA Atlas of Palliative Care in Africa 2025 provides the most comprehensive analysis of palliative care development on the continent, covering 50 countries with evidence-based insights to transform healthcare policy and practice.

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50
Countries Mapped
Comprehensive coverage across the African continent
17.5M
People in Need
Annual palliative care need, 70% with HIV/AIDS
6
Key Dimensions
WHO-ATLANTES standardized framework

A Decade of Progress

Building upon the pioneering 2017 edition, the 2025 APCA Atlas represents a quantum leap in understanding palliative care development across Africa. Developed with the University of Navarra's ATLANTES Global Observatory and the WHO Collaborating Centre.

This edition employs the rigorous WHO-ATLANTES framework, assessing 14 standardized indicators across six critical dimensions, enabling meaningful cross-country comparisons.

Key Finding While only 5 of 54 countries recognize palliative care as a medical specialty, the Atlas reveals growing momentum with 22 national associations actively advocating for policy change.
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A Collaborative Achievement

  • African Palliative Care Association
  • University of Navarra (ATLANTES)
  • WHO Collaborating Centre
  • 121+ African Experts

Six Dimensions of Care

The WHO comprehensive framework for assessment

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People & Society

Patient advocacy, advance care planning, community engagement

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Health Policies

National plans, Ministry of Health coordination

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Research & Evidence

Academic output and clinical research capacity

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Essential Medicines

Opioid availability and morphine consumption

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Education & Training

University curricula and professional certification

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Specialized Services

Hospice services and home-based care programs

Leading the Way

Cabo Verde, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, and Uganda demonstrate exemplary palliative care development, serving as models for the region.

Transform Data into Action

The APCA Atlas is an advocacy tool, policy guide, and roadmap for eliminating preventable suffering across Africa. Data collection spanned December 2023 to February 2025, with 46 of 50 countries completing peer review.

Access the Full Report
APCA Atlas 2025[English]

APCA Atlas 2023 [English] [French]
APCA_atlas.pdf (56.34 MB)