Community Based Palliative Care

SANTWANA
MSGR. DAVID.S. KANDATHIL MEMORIAL COMMUNITY BASED PALLIATIVE CARE
Msgr. David Kandathil Memorial Community Based Palliative Care is a new venture of QSSS to care the terminally ill or bedridden patients. Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of the terminally ill patients and their families facing the problem associated with life threatening illness. Through this programme  prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other Problems Physical, Psycho- social and Spiritual.
In the initial stage the project is being implemented in Chittumala Zone of QSSS which includes Panayam, Pereyam, Perinad, Eastkallada, Kundara, and Mandrothuruth Panchayats. Later it will extend to other zones of QSSS. As part of the expansion of the programme community organisers from Kollam zone also trained on palliative care programme
Objectives of the programme
Individual Level: - To provide counseling to the patients and provide them a dignified death.
Family Level: - Provide awareness and counseling to family members about the situation.
Community Level: - Community has to be equipped and act as a supporting hand.

Implementation Strategy
There is a medical team and a monitoring team for the smooth implementation of the project. Both the teams are formed at zonal wise. Medical team consisted of volunteer, doctor and palliative care nurses. The involvement of community organizers, BCC coordinators of each parish and representative of Vincent De Paul society etc will be ensured.  Monitoring Team consisted of Forane Vicar, Diocesan Director of BCC, Forane Coordinator of BCC, Palliative Care Team Coordinators, Socially committed persons from each Parish/ social welfare service secretary from each parish and five community organizers from each Zone.