By IANS,
New Delhi: As the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) is being observed Saturday, a series of events are lined up in the national capital to create awareness about caring for people suffering from life threatening illness.
Hospice and Palliative care is the name given to physical, psychological, and emotional care given to people suffering from life threatening illness.
Palliative care, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), “starts from the time a life-threatening illness is diagnosed and should be offered alongside treatment… it has become invaluable for patients and their families who are in need of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual support”. It is grounded on the premise that every human being is entitled to adequate care and that no one should suffer unnecessarily.
A series of events are being organised in the capital by Delhiites’ National Initiative in Palliative Care (DnipCare), a group working for creating awareness about palliative care.
“All around the world, there are people who need hospice and palliative care who cannot access it. The provision of quality palliative care for people living with life limiting illness, their family members requires partnership of many different people and organisations,” a statement from DnipCare said.
Members from the group will Saturday visit patients of Delhi State Cancer Institute and Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital Complex and hold a review meeting of the volunteers. The public functions have, however, been delayed till Oct 16 due to the Delhi Commonwealth Games.