Palliative Care
Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering. It is a specialized form of medical support aimed at easing the suffering caused by severe illnesses or end stage frailty, particularly by alleviating pain and other symptoms. Additionally, it assists individuals in managing any adverse effects resulting from medical treatments. It is usually provided where further medical intervention or recovery is not possible.
The palliative care local self-government comes under the SDGs Theme 7: socially secured, Theme 9: gender-friendly village, Theme 1: poverty-free village, and Theme 3: Healthy village.
1. Palliative care-Karakulam initiatives:
During the year 2021-2022, the Palliative Care Project successfully organized building visits for around 1,000 bedridden patients. Additionally, various services like dressing, bathing, mouth care, and bladder care were provided to 430 beneficiaries. Apart from these mentioned services, essential medical equipment such as a wheelchair, water bed, oxygen concentrator, and air bed were procured and distributed to meet the specific needs of the patients. For those in critical conditions, the project arranged physiotherapy and services of secondary nurses. Two monthly visits to the homes were carried out with the help of these medical personnel.
2. Cherthala South - Alappuzha district
Cherthala South is a village panchayat under the Kanjikuzhi block of Alappuzha district. ‘Arike’ (Nearby) is a comprehensive palliative geriatric care scheme prepared by the Department of Health, aimed at bringing significant advancements in the field of palliative care. Cherthala South Grama Panchayat, situated in Alappuzha District, has taken a commendable step by initiating the ‘Arike’ project, wherein patients receive home-based Ayurveda palliative care therapy.
