MARGAO: The South Goa District Hospital’s palliative care project has taken a step toward expanding its outreach by forming collaborations with local panchayats and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to deliver essential medical support to terminally ill patients residing in rural areas.
On Wednesday, members of the Chinchinim-Deussua panchayat including Sarpanch Valentino Barretto joined Dr Ira Almeida, the Project Director of SGDH’s palliative care initiative, and her team of volunteers. Together, they conducted door-to-door visits to offer palliative care services and mobility assistance to patients who required the support. The initiative includes engaging village volunteers in identifying patients in rural areas who require palliative care. After assessing the patient’s symptoms, the team will determine the required frequency of visits. The panchayats have committed to providing mobility support, and close cooperation with the volunteers aims to ensure consistent care, said Dr Almeida.
She added that her team has carried out over 1,000 home visits in the past nine months. The project offers a range of services encompassing nursing care, palliative symptom management, counselling, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. These services are designed to enhance the quality of life for patients coping with chronic diseases, including cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and help ease the burden on their caregivers.
In an integrated setup, the team has also extended its support to patients visiting the hospital for dialysis, providing dietary guidance, physiotherapy, dental checkups, and counselling. Those interested in availing these services can register at the palliative OPD 26 (ground floor), between 9 am and 1 pm from Monday to Saturday.
