CIHSR conducts Palliative Care awareness programme
Dimapur, October 1 (MExN): Palliative Care “Affirms life; regards dying as normal a process; neither hastens or delays death; provides relief from pain and other symptoms; integrates psychological and spiritual aspects of care; offers a support system to help the patients to live as actively as possible until the last breath; and also offers a support system to the family to cope during the patients’ illness and in their own bereavement,” Dr Abhijit Dam, Secretary, Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC), and Medical Director, KOSISH Hospice, Jharkhand emphasized during an introductory session on Palliative Care awareness program.
The one day Palliative Care awareness program was organized by the Palliative Care Team of Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), Dimapur on September 28 at CIHSR campus.
Dr Abhijit also revealed that the ‘end-of-life care’ is the most neglected core business of medicine today.
Dr Sanghamitra Bora, Consultant of Palliative Oncology, North East Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Jorabat, Guwahati Assam, during the second session dwelled on the scenario of Palliative Care in India.
Bora enlightened the participants with the latest data and statistics about Palliative Care in India.
Dr Rajesh, Radiation Oncologist, CMC Vellore also shared an oncologist’s perspective on Palliative care.
Dr Nepuni Athikho, Head of the Palliative Care Department and family physician, CIHSR highlighted the current undertakings of the CIHSR Palliative Care Department and the team.
He also shared the opportunities and challenges that Palliative Care Team experiences in its endeavor to reach out to those who are in need.
Aonuktsung Imchen, Chaplain CIHSR, in the third session, shared about the importance of spiritual and social support in Palliative Care and also challenged the participants about the roles that the church and the society can play in giving a holistic care to those patients who are terminally ill.
A panel of discussion, in the afternoon session, on Palliative Care was conducted with Rev Dr Thungdemo (Principal Eastern Bible College), Rev Dr Ellen Konyak (Associate Professor, Oriental Theological Seminary), Ahimsa Zhimomi (Founder, Cancer Support Group) and Dr Merenla (Health and Family Welfare, Kohima) as panelists. Questions and topics ranging from social, psychological, medical and spiritual perspectives were covered.
‘Echoes of Hope’ was demonstrated by two participants who have experienced Palliative Care support in their family. They shared their testimonies and first-hand experience of what Palliative Care meant to them and their families.
The program was a first of its kind in Nagaland, especially with regard to Palliative Care Awareness and the participants had so much to take home from the day’s program. They were not just made aware of what Palliative Care is all about, but also challenged and encouraged them as to how we as community and as Church can get involved in Palliative Care. Earlier, welcome address and invocation was delivered by Deputy Director of the Institution, Dr Viu Meru.
Altogether, about 120 participants representing various Churches, Hospitals, Theological Colleges, and also students from the College of Nursing (CIHSR) attended the day long program. The program was sponsored by the Indian Association of Palliative Care.
