PATIENTS TO GET PALLIATIVE CARE AT KEM HOSPITAL

MUMBAI: Doctors from KEM hospital, Parel, are being trained by experts from Tata Memorial Hospital in giving palliative care to terminally ill patients and their families. Dr Avinash Supe, the dean of the hospital, confirmed the development to HT.

Supe said, “There is a huge need for palliative care for many ailments apart from cancer. The care doesn’t need a huge financial investment. Individuals who are compassionate about supporting patients with chronic ailments can come ahead to help patients and their families.”

Unlike other methods of treatment which focus largely on curing end-stage patients ailing from life-threatening diseases, palliative care aims at relieving them of pain by treating the symptoms.

Mary Ann Muckaden, president, Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) said doctors and nurses from KEM are undergoing a six-week-long hands on training on palliative care at the Tata Memorial Hospital.

“This is a positive move. This is for the first time a civic hospital has recognised the need for providing palliative support to patients. KEM will soon start a palliative care OPD.”

However, she also added the state has been lackadaisical in ensuring that palliative care is within reach of patients, especially in small districts.

“Despite the state’s 2012 palliative care policy, no sustained efforts have been to take it forward. Every time we train the staff, they quit and move to other places,” she said.

DURING PALLIATIVE CARE, CARETAKERS GIVE CHRONICALLY ILL PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SPIRITUAL SUPPORT