Naveen Launches District Palliative Care Programme

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched District Palliative Care Programme at a function at Lok Seva Bhawan through video conferencing with District Collectors and CDMOs.

As per the programme, facility based Palliative Care Services will be provided at District level Health Institutions including Capital Hospital and RGH Rourkela.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the Palliative Care Programme will play a significant role in realisation of the motto of our Government – Sustha Odisha Sukhi Odisha.

It has also been decided to start home-based Palliative Care in Nabarangpur district within the next two months, which will be scaled up to all the districts, the CM said.

Subsequently, Palliative Care Services will also be available for terminally ill patients suffering from Chronic Kidney Diseases, Stroke, Cardio Vascular Diseases, Hemiplegia, Paralysis, HIV/AIDS etc, he added.

The Chief Minister also unveiled the Logo of Palliative Care for branding of the facilities.

Under the programme, several in-patient and out-patient services will be provided in the programme. The In-Patient Services include Free Specialist Consultation, Training to the Care Giver, Free Drugs & Consumables, Free Physiotherapy, Counseling, Spiritual Healing, Emergency Care Services, Nutrition Support, Patient Follow-up etc.

Out Patient Services include Regular consultation by trained Medical Stall (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Health Care Services), Training to the Care Givers, Free Drugs & Consumables, Free Physiotherapy services, Counseling to patient & Family, Referrals to Higher Health Facilities (Palliative Care Centre).

It may be recalled here that in May 2017, the Chief Minister had launched District Cancer Care Programme. Under this initiative, till date more than 30,000 Cancer patients have received consultation and 14,000 patients have received Chemotherapy Cycles in District Day Care Cancer Chemotherapy Centres.

The Odisha Government is providing 86 types of anti-cancer drugs free of cost and all investigations are being provided free to all cancer patients under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana.

It has been decided to develop District Headquarters hospitals with appropriate infrastructure facilities for the Palliative Care Programme.

The decisions include: six bedded palliative care units will be established in each district headquarters hospitals to provide facility based palliative care services in each district. 10 districts have already been provided with Rs. 10.25 lakhs each for infrastructure development. 39 Medical Officers and 42 Staff Nurses already trained in Palliative Care will provide services at these Centres in 30 DHH, RGH Rourkela and Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar.

Induction and refresher Training of Medical Officers and Staff Nurses and Counselors will be taken up regularly to increase proficiency of staffs. Trained Medical Officers and Staff Nurses are in place for rendering services.

Expressing happiness over the programme, Advisor to State Government on Cancer Care Dr. Dinesh Pendarkar said that Odisha will soon find its glorious place in global map of Cancer Care.

Among others Health Minister Naha Kishore Das, Advisor to Odisha Government on Cancer Care Dr. Dinesh Pcnclarkar, Health Secretary P K Meherda were present.