Pediatric Palliative Care in Argentina

Abstract

This is intended to share with the rest of the world 25 years of experience in palliative care in Argentina, particularly as palliative care is applied to children suffering with life-limiting diseases. These services are covered by pediatric palliative care, which started to develop as a separate discipline from adult palliative care in the 1990s. The pioneering experience in pediatric palliative care began at Hospital de Pediatria Juan P. Garrahan (Garrahan Children’s Hospital) in 1992, with the construction of the Pediatric Palliative Care Unit (PPCU). A wide assortment of activities developed over time in this PPCU, such as training of human resources, especially medical doctors and nurses, among other specialties. In terms of training, the PPCU also offers 2-year scholarships programs for medical doctors, participates in teaching activities for health teams and health-related professionals on the hospital premises and individuals from outside the hospital as well. In terms of medical assistance, the PPCU provides care for children, and gives counseling to their parents, with cancer and chronic and life-limiting conditions. The program is also engaged in research. This chapter also describes pediatric palliative care programs that were developed in Rosario and Neuquen. Lessons learned and future steps are described for all three programs.