Aster MIMS Calicut has become the first private hospital in Kerala with a dedicated Palliative Care ward. The specialised Palliative Care ward which was inaugurated on June 7, 2016 will be an extension of the Aster MIMS Oncology Centre.
The World Health Organization in 2002 defined palliative care as “an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems 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.” Palliative Care offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible to the end, while helping the family cope during the patient’s illness and in their own bereavement.
Speaking to media at the inauguration, Dr. Vineetha Rijju, Specialist in Palliative Oncology at Aster MIMS, Kozhikode says, ‘Life with a serious disease like cancer is often associated with a lot of suffering, all the more so when the cancer is incurable. Pain and other symptoms like nausea and breathing difficulties make life unbearable not only for the patient but also for the family who cannot bear to see someone close in agony. The Palliative Care ward will focus on managing and controlling these distressing symptoms by providing pain relief and comfort when a cure is no longer possible.’
The Palliative Care ward will take care of the suffering in patients with incurable diseases, considerably diminishing the anguish for the patient and the family. The Palliative Care ward will employ the principles of ‘active total care’ to improve quality of life, treating pain and other symptoms, at the same time offering social, emotional and spiritual support.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Narayanankutty Warrier, Sr. Consultant and HOD at the Aster MIMS Oncology Centre said, ‘Specially designed for patients who require palliative care on an ongoing basis in an inpatient setting, the ward has four beds to begin with and will be expanded later as required. The focus of the care will be pain relief through medication and managing the symptoms to help the patient live a quality pain-free life in the terminal stages. The patients and their families will get much needed support from a multi-disciplinary team in a calm professional environment during their trying time.’
Dr. Rahul Menon, CEO Aster MIMS Calicut said, ‘While there are many palliative care units in Kerala which provide home visits, outpatient services and medicines, we are proud to be the first private hospital in Kerala to have a dedicated ward for Palliative Care. This specialised ward will help terminally ill patients get support and relief when home-based care is not possible. This initiative underscores our commitment to providing world class medical facilities to all our patients.’
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