The reality of diseases such as cancer and HIV and AIDS in Africa is that many millions of adults and children lose all quality of life and suffer long, painful deaths. This suffering is completely unnecessary and by promoting palliative care the African Palliative Care Association (APCA) aims to stop it.

"My life was gone but they brought me hope"

"I've been taking morphine since 2007," says Anne Nakate (above, centre), who has a lemon-sized cancer tumour behind her ear. "The nurses work with me to manage my pain. My life was gone but they brought me hope. Now I can continue with my daily activities, move around, eat. My life is back."

That's what palliative care does. By providing specialist support for people with illnesses from which they won't recover it restores dignity and prevents unnecessary suffering. It can also give people back their lives - with the right treatment many can live fulfilling and productive lives for years to come. Palliative care is the kind of care we'd all want for ourselves and our families. But many millions of people in Africa who need this care don't get it. Together we can make sure they do.

In sub-Saharan Africa there are two million AIDs-related deaths every year. Most people die without access to adequate care and pain control

UNAIDS