Need more palliative care units in state: Docs

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 3

Paediatric experts and cancer survivors are demanding that the government should start palliative care units in all medical colleges and hospitals of the state.

“The units will provide much-needed care to children, who otherwise suffer from painful diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease for which there is no cure,” they said during a national conference here today.

“The aim of palliative care is to maximise the quality of life and minimise the pain and suffering of patients,” said Dr RK Kaushal, a renowned paediatrician and former head, Department of Paediatrics, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla.

“It is a major health concern. We can only lessen the pain of children who suffer from cancer and other diseases for which there is no curative treatment,” he added.

Founder chairperson of paediatric pain and palliative care Dr Rakesh Sharma said the state government had created the first palliative care unit at the IGMC. “We urge the government to set up similar units in all medical colleges of the state to improve the quality of life of terminally sick patients,” he added.

Chief guest Dr Nipun Jindal said the government was committed to improve the pain and palliative care infrastructure and services in the state. More doctors and nurses will be trained in providing these services. The process to start palliative care units had started and more units would be set up in the future.

Dr Mukand Lal, principal, IGMC, urged the medical fraternity to work with a sense of commitment for this noble cause.