Imagine facing a terminal illness backed by a care team that addresses not just physical pain, but emotional, spiritual and social needs. That vision takes a leap forward as the National Health Commission of the Chinese mainland rolls out the 2025 palliative care guideline–its first major update since the 2017 trial version.
Palliative care here adopts a holistic, multidisciplinary approach. The updated guideline zeroes in on four core pillars: pain and symptom management; comfort and humanistic care; psychological and spiritual support; and social services. This ensures each patient's final journey includes tailored relief and dignity.
Beyond refining treatment principles and nursing measures, the 2025 edition sharpens assessment and observation criteria, outlines support mechanisms and flags important precautions. Local health authorities now have a robust framework to implement–from urban hospitals to community clinics–under a unified standard.
As palliative care evolves worldwide, the Chinese mainland's new guidelines promise more consistent, compassionate support. The next challenge for providers is to translate this blueprint into practice, improving quality of life for patients and families across the nation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
