Background The majority of palliative care needs (78%) are in low to middle-income countries; despite this, palliative care provision remains poor. Over the past 20 years, developing palliative services has increasingly become a priority for international organisations. Uganda has developed the most effective palliative care service in Sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, its palliative care services have been classed (alongside 20 other countries) as one of the most advanced palliative care services, in which ‘hospice-palliative care services are at a stage of advanced integration into mainstream service provision’.

Aims Explore the potential factors which aided the development of palliative care services in Uganda and consider the lessons we can learn from this successful case study.

Methods Multi-source literature review.

Results Hospice Africa Uganda (HAU) was established in Uganda (1993) by a UK based palliative care physician. The hospice aimed to create a model of palliative care which was affordable, culturally acceptable and could be adapted to other countries in Africa.

Key factors this poster will explore, include:

1. Ensured prescribing and giving opiates was not illegal and that there was sufficient supply at a reasonable cost to the service - this remains a barrier to the delivery of palliative care internationally;

2. Strong research focus - service evaluation and improvement;

3. Healthcare model - Integrated Community Home-Based Care which trained community volunteers supported and supervised by clinicians - care is delivered at a combination of hospitals, hospices and in the community;

4. Integration of palliative care education into undergraduate and postgraduate programmes - this has led to a shift in attitudes towards palliative care and in the understanding of the importance of respect and individualised care;

5. The social and political climate - Uganda was rebuilding itself with significant international financial support; the civil war had come to an end seven years before.