- Groundwork
Is palliative care only for the dying—or is there more to it?
Fiona Mahiani, Mellan Lilumbi, Lynette Gow, Roselyne Omolo, Miriam Igobwa, Dr. Beryl Okose
- September 2, 2025
- 12:27 pm
SECTOR
PROJECT TYPE
Location
BEHAVIORAL THEME
OVERVIEW
Pillar 2 (Information, Education and Awareness), is a strategic guiding pillar of KEHPCA that aims to transform public understanding of palliative care. This is achieved by providing accurate information, capacity building of communities and health workers, and creating awareness campaigns that challenge the myths and stigma around palliative care.
It ensures that families, caregivers, and communities are equipped with the knowledge to seek and support timely palliative care services. KEHPCA is further implementing a project—WAWA (WAna WAtunzwe) with the goal of improving access to sustainable children’s palliative care (CPC) services in Kenya for children living with cancer and other palliative care needs.
THEMATIC AREAS
According to the Kenya Palliative Care Policy 2021-2030, less than 5% of children living with palliative care needs have access to CPC.. This project sought to increase the demand for palliative care and early diagnosis through behavior change communication and programming.
The project developed materials that influence the public conversation regarding the barriers and myths surrounding CPC for children with palliative care needs in an innovative way and thus increase demand for children’s palliative care.