Abstract

Palliative care plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life for individuals facing advanced or terminal stages of cancer. Despite notable progress in urban areas, accessing palliative care services in rural and remote regions poses significant challenges. This study delves into the diverse aspects of palliative care, underscoring its holistic nature and distinguishing it from end-of-life care. Emphasis is placed on the pivotal role of palliative care in rural and remote settings, while identifying obstacles to its availability such as geographic isolation, shortages in healthcare personnel, and limited resources. The paper suggests innovative solutions, including telepalliative care, community-based initiatives, mobile units, support networks, and policy measures, to overcome these barriers. Prioritizing palliative care in rural healthcare is proposed as a means to ensure fair access to compassionate and dignified care for cancer patients, irrespective of their geographical location.