Study Says UK is the Best Place to Die, India the Worst

The United Kingdom is reportedly the best place to spend your final moments, while India is the worst place to die. A new report showed a list of the best countries in terms of hospice and palliative care.

Economist featured a new report called the Quality of Death Index, which ranks countries according to the quality of their hospice and palliative care. The United Kingdom was No. 1 in the list, while India was among the bottom.

UPI reported that the top ten, in order, are the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Belgium, Taiwan, Germany, Netherlands, United States and France. Canada was No. 11. Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan are the only non-Western countries to make the top ten. The United Kingdom and Australia are the only countries that scored at least 90, with 93.9 and 91.6, respectively.

BBC News reported that more than 90 percent of hospices in England that were inspected were rated either good or outstanding, so far. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) provided more significant assessments on year before. According to the experts, the quality of care rendered to patients in England are just what they deserve at the end of their lives, as well as what their families should expect.

The top ten worst places to die, in order, are Iraq, Bangladesh, Philippines, Nigeria, Myanmar, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Iran, Botswana and China. Out of the 80 countries in the index, only 34 were shown to have end-of-life care that are above average at least. About 85 percent of the world population do not have access to quality palliative care.

The report stated that India was at the bottom of the list in 2010 Index, but has slightly improved five years later. Particularly, legislative changes in the country allowed doctors to prescribe drugs like morphine. India was ranked at No. 67 in the current list.

KRWG News22 revealed that an index was also presented in 2008 and 2011, and the grade has stayed the same since 2011.

Diane Meier, director of the Center to Advance Palliative Care at Mount Sinai Hospital’s medical school, stated that the obvious disadvantage is that the private sector is compelled to render quarterly returns to shareholders. There has to be a connection between payment and value and quality measures that properly address the needs of those who are seriously ill, as well as their families.

The Index will hopefully encourage the countries that were rated poorly to improve their system and facilities.