Wokha observes Hospice and Palliative Care Day

DIMAPUR — The Wokha division of Health department observed ‘World Hospice and Palliative Care Day’ on October 12 at the conference hall of Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital in Wokha town.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Renben Tungoe shared on the importance of palliative care. According to him, palliative is derived from a Latin word Pallaire, which means to cloak, an extra layer of comfort and protection shielding the patient from the harms associated with illness, an update from CMO stated.

He explained that palliative care is a specialised form of healthcare provided to improve the quality of life of patients and their family, who are facing serious illness. It relieves suffering without treating the cause of suffering such as cancer, heart disease and acute trauma etc.

Palliative team comprised of doctors, nurses, nutritionist, social workers, spiritual leaders etc., which helps in physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual support.

Palliative care can be given at home, hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home and assisted living facility.

Dr. N Mhonchan Kithan, medical superintendent at Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital, Wokha, highlighted on the role of family caregivers, who are considered cornerstones of palliative care by undertaking practical tasks, providing emotional support and relieving pain and other symptoms as well as communicating with health services with the purpose of improving the life of someone.

Family caregiver helps the patient in dressing up, toileting and conducting household tasks, ensuring them eat balanced meals and taking medication in a timely manner and massage etc.

It mentioned that palliative care are rendered to a patient with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease, lung disease, stroke, liver disease, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, major organ failures, severe burn,  drug-resistant tuberculosis and extreme frailty of old age.

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