World Hospice And Palliative Care Day: The Need To Alleviate Suffering Of Terminally Ill Persons

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is observed annually on the second Saturday of October, to share the vision of increased availability of hospice and palliative care throughout the world by creating opportunities to speak out about the issues.

Doctors, representatives, and volunteers of Sneha Sandhya Age Care Foundation have teamed up to present a host of events to build awareness on how to facilitate appropriate support system for hospices at home and in hospice care clinics.

The theme of the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2015 is "Hidden Lives, Hidden Patients" and will focus on the patients living in unique conditions that often struggle with access to palliative care including children, LGBT individuals, HIV, prisoners and those affected by war and natural disasters.

The representatives of the Sneha Sandhya Age Care Foundation have turned the spotlight on those suffering from life-threatening illness and shared the means to provide psychological and emotional support to them.

"Most patients suffering from life-threatening disease feel dejected for a variety of reasons. Palliative and hospice care center plays a role in overcoming their untold miseries and help them handle the fear of death with less pain. It includes addressing their psychological and spiritual needs," said Dr Raju, managing trustee of the foundation.

"Family members, care takers, and doctors play an imperative role in easing the pain among patients," said Dr Raju.

"In a majority of cases, failure to identify the needs and indifference shown towards the patient by the family members are some of the primary disturbing factors," he explains.

At present, a hospice unit is being run jointly by St. Joseph's Hospital and Sneha Sanhdya Age Care Foundation near Zilla Parishad.

"Out of 10 1akh deaths, six lakh need palliative care and only 3 percent have access to the facility. Palliative care unit should be integrated into the health care system," said the foundation's chairmen T.V.S. Rao and Ch. Venkata Rao.

In collaboration with Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Center, the foundation is set to organize various events such as awareness walk and and a roundtable involving policy makers, medical fraternity, and NGOs on October 10.

Source: Medindia