Touching Patients Reality

HPPCT in collaboration with PRPCS is providing support in the area of Palliative Care. Palliative care provides pain relief and support for terminal condition patients and their families. The service provides not only medication and nursing care at the door step of the patient but also takes care of psycho-social and spiritual needs of the patients and their family members.

Case 1

Ayan (name changed) was suffering from cancer and referred to palliative care. Doctors from HPPCT and PRPCS collaboration reached out to the family. On scheduled visit the condition of patient and patient home was distressing.No medicine was being given to Ayan and he was in pain. The wound area was no kept clean and there were flies all over. It was clear that family was not able to copeup with sorrow and stress and his wife’sneed to go to work through the day and inability to handle dressing material. The team Counsellors had session with the family while the nurse cleaned and dressed the wound. Pain medication was measured and packed for easy understanding of the patient and family. After that the nurses and counsellors regularly visited Ayan and his condition improved. He passed away in dignity without any pain under constant care of the Doctors, Nurses and Counsellors at his home. Mrs Ayan picked up basic skills of personal care support. She had to work menial jobs to meet both ends meet. After observing her skill and intent to serve she was trained in basic nursing aid routines. She now has more dignified livelihood and opportunity to provide much needed service to the female patients helping them maintain their dignity in life and in death.

Case 2

Begum is hard working single mother of 3 children who was deserted by her husband. She was diagnosed with terminal condition and could not work any more due to pain.Her 12 year old son was going to work as child labour to support mother and a sister who was 17years. The elder daughter was married. HPPCT – PRPCS doctors visited her at her home and provided medication and patient was relieved of the pain. They observed poor nutritional status of the children and that they two are suffering from diseases and psychological stress.Counsellors spoke with the family and found that there was no sufficient food. Grocery items were immediately procured and were provided to the family. PRPCS provided for vocational trainingof the second daughter so that she can stand on her own and the boy was sent back to school. Now Ghousia Begum is able to work in her own home as she is relieved of pain. Support will continue till it is needed.