Hospice and Palliative Care in Africa A Review of Developments and Challenges

The continent of Africa covers 22% of the earth's surface and contains over 800 million people and some 50 countries. Conflict, poverty, endemic diseases, and lack of clean water pose serious challenges across the continent, made worse by the pandemic of HIV/AIDS. Huge loss of life has impacted dramatically on both health systems and social and family support structures.

David Clark is the author of OUP's two published volumes on the life of Cicely Saunders (her Selected Writings, and Selected Letters) Michael Wright was born in the north-of-England industrial town of Castleford in 1944. His studies have included theology (BA) education (MSc) and the spiritual dimension of health care (PhD). He trained for the Anglican ministry at Wells Theological College and was ordained in 1967. During a varied working life, he has held the positions of parish priest, secondary school head teacher, hospital chaplain and senior research fellow. Since 2001, he has focused on the global analysis of hospice care and spiritual needs at the end of life. In 2003 he co-founded the International Observatory on End of Life Care (Lancaster University) with Professor David Clark, the Observatory's director.