MARGAO: The South Goa District Hospital (SGDH) now has a dedicated palliative care unit to improve access to terminal care for people of any age, with any serious illness and at any stage of their illness and to offer a better quality of life for patients and their families.
Outpatient palliative services are available at this unit from Monday to Saturday between 10am to 12 noon, where the patients and their families will be provided with information as well as emotional counselling.
The palliative team comprises a project director, two counsellors cum social workers, a palliative care physician, two nurses and an MTS worker. For those who are unable to access the hospital, the palliative team will provide home care services to those registered under the programme. The programme is open to anyone with any life limiting health problems, including cancer and non-cancer cardiovascular, respiratory chronic diseases, chronic kidney diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, dementia, stroke patients, bedridden patients and others.
Dr Rajendra Borkar, SGDH Medical Superintendent (MS), said the initiative by the Health Services in coordination with the Cipla Foundation will go a long way in taking care of those whose illnesses cannot be cured, as they need support to overcome fear and anxiety.
Project Director Dr Ira Almeida, said their main aim is to alleviate pain and suffering, both physical and psychosocial.
She explained that at the OPD, the patient will be assessed, and if they qualify for palliative treatment, they can choose to enter the programme. “The earlier one gets into the palliative care programme, the better the outcome with regard to quality of life will be. One should not think of palliative care only when they are terminal,” she added.
