Pain and Palliative care programme by Government Homoeopathic Medical College Calicut

ghmc-calicut-gateA ‘Solace’ for Bedridden Patients – media report on Pain and Palliative home care visit by Government Homoeopathic Medical College Calicut

Sixty-year-old Velayudhan from Kallayi (not real name) was completely bedridden. He was unable to walk, eat and even speak when he was taken to the Government Homoeopathic Medical College at Karaparamba, Kozhikode. The cases of 55-year-old Sankaran (name changed) from Koyilandy and Raveendran from Chathamangalam were not much different when they were admitted to the hospital with various ailments.

The three of them are now regaining their health fast as they are now undergoing the treatment extended through the Shore of Solace Palliative Care Scheme, run by the Government Homoeopathic Medical College. They, like several others, are proof of how the scheme has scripted a success story of palliative care service.

The scheme, launched by the Health Department at the medical college in 2012, was going on in a full-fledged manner and it was revived by the second half of 2013.

Figures with the hospital show that more than 3,000 patients have availed themselves of the benefits of the scheme from January, 2014 to March, 2015.

At present, around 20 patients are given treatment at the hospital.

The comprehensive palliative care, which is aimed at treating bedridden patients, was envisioned by the department after a project was submitted by the present hospital superintendent Dr K L Babu.

“Palliative care always assumes significance in hospitals, especially in government hospitals as there are hundreds of patients, who are in need of treatment and due care. It is a great thing if you can provide them with care free of cost as there are several marginalised persons who can’t afford better treatment,” says K L Babu.

The medical college has an exclusive palliative care ward, which was built with the fund of M P Abdul Samad Samadani in 2002. The scheme envisages medication, psychological and religious counselling, physical rehabilitation, entertainment and relaxation activities and cultural programmes.

“Most of the patients are left in a sedative state owing to the ailments and the heavy dose of medicines. Here, we take every possible step meant to make them mentally relaxed and socially engaged. Thus the scheme turns into a shore of solace in the true sense,     thanks to the hospital staff, students and voluntary organisations for their active participation,” says Babu. Resident Medical Officer Dr Ritesh says that the students of the college organise weekly cultural programmes in a bid to give some relief to the beneficiaries and bystanders while the voluntary organisations are doing their bit by contributing various equipment, including television set.

The patients are admitted to the ward as per the needs and are discharged if improvement is visible.

Taking note of the poor plight of the rural areas in the district, the hospital authorities are all set to launch a mobile home care unit. The unit will go operational by the end of next month as a vehicle has been purchased with the financial assistance of A Pradeepkumar MLA.

Exuding his confidence in making the new mission a success, Babu says that the students, doctors and nurses are excited to be part of the home care unit.

http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/A-Solace-for-Bedridden-Patients/2015/05/11/article2807503.ece

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