Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Lack of access to pain relief for dying patients is a "public health emergency", say experts.
Figures suggest almost 18 million people - mainly in developing countries - died in unnecessary pain in 2012.
In Ethiopia, there are reports of cancer patients throwing themselves in front of trucks to escape pain.
The Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance says part of the problem is the refusal of governments to give patients access to painkillers such as morphine.
It says restrictions are in place because of exaggerated fears about the risk of addiction.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27661462
Figures suggest almost 18 million people - mainly in developing countries - died in unnecessary pain in 2012.
In Ethiopia, there are reports of cancer patients throwing themselves in front of trucks to escape pain.
The Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance says part of the problem is the refusal of governments to give patients access to painkillers such as morphine.
It says restrictions are in place because of exaggerated fears about the risk of addiction.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27661462
Nobody should be allowed to end their life in agony.