BMJ  2003;327 (26 July), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7408.0-c

Patients in Uganda prefer to die at home

A good death in developing countries like Uganda, where resources are scarce, occurs when the dying person is being cared for at home, is free from pain and other distressing symptoms, feels no stigma, and is at peace. It is also important that basic needs such as food and school fees for children are met without the patient feeling dependent on others. These are the conclusions of Kikule (p 192), based on her study in Kampala with 173 patients with HIV/AIDS or cancer. The home was the preferred site for care as it was considered a safe place and housed the relationship between the patient and family. The author says that few participants used government health facilities as they were generally poorly equipped and health staff gave priority to patients with curable conditions and did not have time for terminally ill patients.

Credit: SEAN SPRAGUE/PANOS

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