Palliative Care Situation in French Speaking African Countries: Example of the Sakoira Integrated Health Center in Republic of Niger

Background: In Niger, palliative care is a necessity in everyday medical practice. However, the setting up of structures and / or mobile teams specifically dedicated to palliative medicine still faces enormous challenges Methods: This work is an update on the status of research, teaching and services relating of palliative medicine in Sakoira Integrated Health Center (SIHC) in Niger and literature review. Results: Most patients who consult for non-communicable disease or specifically for tumors or other incurable illnesses come advanced stages, requiring palliative care whereas there is as yet no national structure specifically dedicated to palliative care. No domain of research in palliative care is developed in Niger. No specific scientific work on palliative care have been conducted and published in Niger. This testifies to the lack of promotion of this specialty in Niger. Conclusion: The ignorance of palliative care, access to morphine and ordinary molecules fight against pain are a real obstacle to the practice of palliative medicine in Sakoira Integrated Health Center (Tillabéri) in republic of Niger. ABBREVIATIONS SIHC: Sakoira Integrated Health Center; WHO: World Health Organization BACKGROUND In sub-Saharan Africa, Niger is developing country with a population about 17.807.117 million on an area of 1 276 000 km2 [1], two-thirds are located in area Saharan [2]. It is located between parallels 11° 37 and 23° 33 of North latitude one hand, and meridians 16° East and 10° 0 of the other West longitude. It’s a steppe country, limited to the West by Burkina Faso, to the east by Chad, north by Algeria and Libya, on the south by Benin and Nigeria, and to the northwest by Mali. The geographical situation of Niger made the country a hub for trade between Africa North and Africa south of the Sahara [2]. Sakoira is a rural community of Tillabéri department. It is located 122 km from Niamey (capital of Niger). Its population was estimated at 27,076 inhabitants, 13,001 men 14,075 women. It is a common composed of 6 villages and 5 tribes. Its area is 173 km2 with 1 following geographical coordinates 14° 16 ‘60’ ‘north and 1° 24’0°’ ‘East (Monograph of the municipality of Sakoira). The national policy of the Niger health based on Primary Health Care at through the development of health districts. This is taken to adapt the consequences of financial crises and to take into account the commitments International which Niger has subscribed, including those related to the achievement the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and those of the Plan of Economic and Social Development (PDES 2012-2015) [2]. But in Niger, palliative care is again a necessity in everyday medical practice. However, the setting up of structures and / or mobile teams specifically dedicated to palliative medicine still faces enormous challenges that we raised here. METHODS This work is an update on the status of research, teaching and services relating of palliative medicine in SIHC (Figure 1) in Niger. That through the experience at the national level in general and in particular Sakoira with literature review. RESULTS In republic of Niger (West Africa), most patients who consult for non-communicable disease or specifically for tumors or other incurable illnesses come advanced stages, requiring palliative care whereas there is as yet no national structure specifically dedicated to palliative care. In contrast, about some ten health Boubacar (2016) Email: Ann Clin Pathol 4(8): 1098 (2016) 2/4 Central Bringing Excellence in Open Access 