CIHSR observes World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2019

Participants during the world hospice and palliative care day observed at CIHSR, Dimapur on October 11. (Photo Courtesy: CHISR) 

Dimapur, October 12 (MExN): The Christian Institute of Health Sciences & Research (CIHSR), Dimapur observed World Hospice and Palliative Care Day cum palliative care awareness on October 11. 

Palliative care is a more recent branch of medicine and is quoted by World Health Organization (WHO) as “an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.” 

 “The World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is a unified day of action to celebrate and support the palliative care around the world,” stated Dr. Nepuni Athikho, HOD, Palliative Care Department, CIHSR in a press release. 

The program witnessed the participation from the 12 churches from Chümoukedima area, nursing students and the staffs of CIHSR. It aimed at creating community awareness in Palliative Care through the church leaders. 

Bino Peseyie, Warden of Noksangchila Hostel invoked God’s blessing and prayed the palliative care patients.  

Dr. Sedevi Angami, Director, CIHSR exposed the theme “My Care, My Right” where he stressed about the importance of Palliative Care and the need for the public to demand for the essential palliative care services since the WHO declaration of pain and distressing symptoms a human right. He also explained that the pain and distressing symptoms associated cancer and other life threatening illness can be treated and eased with the concerted efforts of the Palliative Care team.

He also emphasized the importance of raising palliative volunteer through churches, NGOs and the community to harness the full potential of palliative care benefits as the volunteers bridge the care between the patient and the palliative care team. 

Rontu Sangma, Pallium India, NE Program Coordinator, Guwahati, briefed the gathering about Pallium India initiatives. 

Dr. Shirley T Leivon, Radiation Oncologist, CIHSR, gave an introduction to the Palliative care, the basics principles and Palliative care services, following this Dr. Nepuni Athikho, HOD, Palliative Care highlights the CIHSR palliative care to the people through hospital care, Home palliative care and requested the churches to come forward to support in training and raising Palliative care volunteers.

Spiritual and social support in palliative care, an area of utmost importance in palliative care services was explored by Aonuktsung Imchen, chaplain, CIHSR. Dr. Chubatola Aier, Principal, C-Edge College and Reubella Paulraj, family members of persons who have benefited from the palliative care services shared testimonials on how palliative care services have enriched and brought much support, encouragement in the lives of their loved ones. 

A group discussion and an exercise on how to carry Palliative Care forward in the local community was led by the Palliative care team. The excitement of the programs was with the distribution of the T-shirt with the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day and CIHSR theme. 

The T-shirt programme was funded by the freewill contribution from patient’s families and Padampukhri Ao Baptist Church to promote palliative care in the community. The prizes were distributed to the winners of the CIHSR Palliative care Logo Competition. Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Shirley T Leivon.

The programme concluded with a prayer offered by Pastor Razavolie, Tenyphe 1, Baptist Church.