What is palliative care
Palliative care is specialized medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious illness like cancer. MTMH believes every patient suffering from cancer requires palliative care, irrespective of the stage of the disease. In the early stage, it might be honest and empathetic communication, during the journey of the disease it might be symptom management. As the disease advances the burden of symptoms increases, and palliative care becomes all about symptom management. Palliative care also caresfor patients in whom disease recurs even after adequate treatment. In patients where cancer is in the terminal stage and the end of life is inevitable, palliative care becomes the HOSPICE or EOLS (end-of-life support) to provide quality care for the remaining period of life
Overview
A first-of-its-kind in Jharkhand, the Pritpal Palliative Care Centre, funded by Suri Seva Foundation, USA was established in MTMH. The unit was inaugurated on 15th February 2020. It is a state-of-the-art, eight-bedded Palliative Care unit, with a stay facility for one relative with the patient. Empathetic staff trained in Palliative care are available for service. Experienced Medical Social workers are part of the palliative care facility. A well-tended therapeutic garden add to the holistic care approach for patients.
This unit provides Onco-palliative care to the patients. It also works in coordination with home based palliative care facilities. Cancer patients often suffer from various types of pain and therefore pain management is an integral part of palliative care. The centre also has facilities to provide cancer pain relief with the use of various drugs. Pain interventions through ultrasound guidance are also done when drugs are unable to provide adequate relief.
What we offer
MSW deals with the following activities under the palliative care unit:
Current activities
- Patient Care Management
- Interventions with patients and their families regarding psychosocial Interventions.
- Grief counselling and bereavement support
- Volunteers are encouraged to participate in organizational activities
