Palliative care in Papua New Guinea: report of the International Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Traveling Fellowship.

In June and July 2001, Dr. Nell Muirden traveled from Melbourne, Australia to Port Moresby General Hospital and Angau Memorial Hospital located in Lae, in Papua New Guinea. This visit was supported through an International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care Traveling Fellowship. Dr. Muirden's visit greatly increased awareness about cancer pain and the importance of palliative care and pain relief in cancer and other terminally ill patients. She developed a discussion paper relating to the drugs needed for palliative care and the changes that should be made. The Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee subsequently adopted these recommendations, which will lead to a better range of medications to treat pain becoming available throughout Papua New Guinea.