In Peru, for example, there are approximately 90,000 patients who require palliative care. However, according to the most recent edition of the Latin American Atlas of Palliative Care, only 0.6 specialised services are available for every one million inhabitants. That is a strikingly low figure, especially when compared to developed countries, where availability is typically around 100 specialised services per million inhabitants.

Peru is significant for Grünenthal because it is where our company founded its first affiliate in Latin America in 1968. This connection inspired the Grünenthal Foundation for Palliative Medicine to join forces with the Faculty of Medicine of the National University of San Marcos (UNMSM) to create the first Master's degree course in Palliative Care and Pain Management. The course aims to contribute to the development of palliative care in the country.

This summer, forty-four doctors from different specialities successfully completed the two-year programme, the first of its kind in Peru. The Grünenthal Foundation for Palliative Medicine actively participated in training for these graduates by awarding 30 full scholarships for students and organising talks and seminars with leading international experts during the course of the programme.

We hope this initiative will help close gaps in care and improve the quality of life for Peruvian patients.