In brief
Dr. Anne Merriman, known as the "Mother of Palliative Care" in Uganda, transformed end-of-life care for the impoverished by developing accessible pain relief solutions.
Dr. Anne Merriman, a pioneer in the field of palliative care, passed away at the age of 90 on May 18, 2025, due to respiratory failure at her home in Kampala, Uganda. An esteemed medical doctor and former nun, she dedicated her life's work to transforming the landscape of palliative care in the developing world. Her journey began in the 1980s while practicing in Singapore, where she witnessed the suffering of terminally ill patients who lacked access to pain relief due to the exorbitant cost of intravenous morphine.Determined to change this, Dr. Merriman collaborated with a pharmacist at the National University of Singapore to create a simple and affordable alternative: powdered morphine. This groundbreaking formula, composed of just three basic ingredients—morphine powder, water, and a preservative—offered a fraction of the cost compared to traditional methods and allowed for easy customization for patients' home use. Throughout her career, Dr. Merriman founded Hospice Africa Uganda in 1993, establishing a model of hospice care that was both culturally sensitive and easily replicable across various regions. Her efforts led to the treatment of nearly 40,000 patients, along with training approximately 10,000 medical professionals in 37 African countries, thus creating a profound impact on end-of-life care.Remembered fondly by family and colleagues, Dr. Merriman’s legacy as a compassionate healer and innovator in palliative medicine is sure to inspire future generations of health care providers.
