Jaipur: Health department launched a home-based medical care programme for bed-ridden elderly patients needing palliative care and those with chronic illnesses, including cancer patients in Sikar Tuesday. Public health director, Dr Ravi Prakash Sharma said that last week, this service had covered 10 districts but rest of them will be covered in next seven days. Pain and suffering will get reduced when doctors will directly reach patient’s residence.Currently, department is registering names of patients requiring home care services. Teams have equipped dedicated vehicles, and fortnightly visits will be conducted at thier homes to monitor their health status and provide necessary medical and nursing care. Additionally, family members will get trained about patient care techniques.“Institute-based palliative care is already being provided where a patient needs to be taken to a hospital but under community-based care, healthcare team reaches patients’ house” said Dr Nirmala Sharma, state nodal officer of this initiative.“National Palliative Care Program is a mobile unit equipped with medical devices which will provide compassionate, loving and pain-relieving medical services to patients with incurable diseases at their homes. It will support patients suffering from cancer, stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, AIDS, chronic respiratory diseases, and more. Goal is not only to treat but also to control symptoms and improve quality of life. Trained doctors, nursing staff, and health workers will be a part of this team” said Dr Maharia.“Aim of this care unit is to ensure that remaining days of patient’s lives are spent well and not filled with pain. Yerterday, Maru Prakash Palliative Care Unit was officially launched” said Dr Ashok Maharia, chief medical health officer (CMHO), Sikar.
