Palliative care services
now covered by Social Security

Decision benefits chronic disease patients

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) said it has added palliative care to the medical care specializations covered by the fund.

Palliative medical care accepted by the NSSF targets patients suffering from critical chronic diseases which include, among others, cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, cardiomyopathy (weak heart muscle), and nervous system disorders. It aims to alleviate the negative impact of chronic diseases on the quality of life of patients and their households,

Patients will benefit from NSSF coverage whether palliative care is provided in hospitals or outside hospitals. In addition to a doctor specialized in palliative care, the team offering this service could include a nurse, psychotherapist, social worker, pharmacist, and other specialists.

NSSF said it will include additional medical services in its coverage when the need arises. At the end of 2023, the fund added pulmonary disease and medical resuscitation to the list of covered services.