Integrating palliative care into Montenegrin health system

The Montenegrin Cabinet, at today's session, adopted the Information on integrating a palliative care service into the health system of Montenegro, aimed at extending hospital care, rehabilitation and palliative care of patients in the terminal phase of the disease.

Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing problems of incurable, advanced diseases by preventing and alleviating suffering, pain and other problems.

The Ministry of Health plans to form an expert body - the Council for the Implementation and Monitoring of Palliative Care.

Multidisciplinary teams will be formed within the Council to take care of the patient and their families.

The chosen doctor will lead a multidisciplinary team consisting of: psychologist, physiatrist, oncologist, anesthesiologist, social worker and patronage nurse.

Services for specific palliative care will be formed at the primary health care level within primary health care centers.