In the 1980s, while practicing medicine in Singapore, Dr. Anne Merriman witnessed the tremendous suffering experienced by economically disadvantaged terminally ill patients who were released from hospitals. She realized that access to effective pain relief was largely determined by one’s financial means, and many patients could not afford the expensive intravenous morphine they needed.
morphine powder, water, and a preservative. This new formulation was significantly cheaper than intravenous morphine and could be easily customized and prepared for home use, unlike more complex medical mixtures that included various sedatives and alcohol.
A former nun, Dr. Merriman later went on to enhance palliative care in the developing world by introducing a model of hospice care that was both replicable and culturally adaptable. Her work ultimately led to the treatment of nearly 40,000 patients and the training of around 10,000 medical professionals in 37 African nations. She recognized her innovation in powdered morphine as a critical advancement in patient care, describing it as a "game changer.
5 Comments
Michelangelo
It’s heartening to see someone like Dr. Merriman stepping up to address such an important issue in healthcare.
Habibi
Very impressed by the emphasis on cultural adaptability. It’s necessary to consider local practices in medical solutions.
ZmeeLove
There are risks associated with self-administered morphine. It's not safe to make it so accessible.
Bermudez
I admire Dr. Merriman's work, but it feels like a Band-Aid solution rather than fixing the underlying policies on healthcare access.
Comandante
I doubt that a 'one-size-fits-all' approach works in palliative care. Every patient is different and deserves personalized treatment.