Anne (name changed) was only 16 when her father was diagnosed with lung cancer. A heavy smoker, the 50-year-old man was in the third stage and had a few summers to spend with the family. Ten years afrter his death, Anne remembers her father’s helplessness and bouts of depression. “He would play with us siblings and though not an extrovert, he was always cheerful. He became frighteningly quiet in the last few years,” she says and wonders whether her father had added a few more years to his life if he could have had mental peace.
Cancer is one of the most serious illnesses with debilitating effects on the body. But more than that, it causes depression and anxiety which further deteriorates the patient’s health.
In order to address to this health issue, the Palliative Care Unit of NEIGRIHMS, Shillong provides free healthcare, OPD services and counselling.
Established in March 2014, the unit co-ordinates with various hospitals and NGOs like VHAM, WISE, Red Pine, Rotary Club and Lions Club. On March 28, 2016, Palliative Care started to function as a unit under Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care. Jiv Daya Foundation, USA, sponsored two full time nurses, a doctor and medical social worker. Pallium India and UK provided the funds for purchasing a Hyundai Eon car for home care services.
Starting with 464 patients in 2016, the numbers grew to 6011 from 2017 to August 2018. The aim of the unit is to provide best supportive care for physical, psychological, social and spiritual problems of patients.
Dr Prithwir Bhattacharya, head of Pallitave Care, says, “Cancer ends lives. But we instruct the patient after diagnosis to remain calm. We deal with them in a composed manner”.
Meghalaya has the highest number of head and neck cancer cases in the country.
Less than 1 per cent has access to healthcare. 7 per cent of the 8 Lakh new cancer cases per year are diagnosed at a very late stage, when treatment is unlikely in preventing disease progression. 1.6 million people per year experience cancer pain but less than 3% have access to adequate pain relief. In addition, lack of knowledge and access to essential pain medication along with paucity and high cost of healthcare facilities results in innumerable patients dying undignified deaths.
Bhattacharya says death is the surest thing after birth. “We are not afraid of death per se. We are afraid of what it means to us, as it has more to do with leaving responsibilities behind”.
Due to fear and pessimism, depression and anxiety develops. But the unit helps curb these factors. “As social workers, I counsel and guide them towards positivity. We try to instill in them the fact that one can also die a peaceful death,” says Bashisha Chyne, social worker.
The unit also sensitises patients on Government Flagship Programmes like the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhio Scheme, Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant etc.
Palliative Care affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. It intends neither to hasten nor postpone death. It offers a support system that helps patients live as actively as possible until death. The family members of the patient are counselled to cope with the course of illness. Palliative Care is applicable early in the course of illness, in conjunction with other therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and includes investigations needed to better manage distressing clinical complications.
Palliative Care has Dr Prithwir Bhattacharya, Dr Phibakordor Marbaniang, Dr Samarjit Dey, Dr Priyanka Dev and Dr Tridip J Bora as main doctors. And Anita Wann, Sandra Lywait, Monica Kharbudon and Billsheba Nengnong as main nurses. Bashisha Chyne is social worker. The nurses and social worker are trained by Pallium India.
For free home care, the unit embraces Shillong as well as the vicinity areas –currently limited to a radius extending 15km beyond Mylliem with NEIGRIHMS at the centre.
Anita Wann, speaking to The Shillong Times, says, “We want to make patients face problems with confidence. We have the best facilities. Cancer does not mean the end of life. It is just a millestone”.
Bhattacharya says the unit is requiring more volunteers. People can also donate money freely to the formal fund of the unit. An app for communication among the team members has also been developed. The unit also has a helpline.
“We want the state Government and corporates to sponsor and invest here for more doctors, nurses, social workers and a large vehicle. This way the unit can function well”, says Bhattacharya.
The Shillong Times spoke to family members of patients in the unit. Jasmine Kharkongor, daughter, says “They helped my father till the end with home care. They were very hepful. Iam fully satisfied”.
Daibianghun Kharwanlang, whose late uncle was taken care of by the unit, says, “The treatment and counseling was very helpful. There was strong support from everyone”.
Gilly Burn, Director of Care Response International and Founder Director of Cancer Relief India, will visit Shillong from October 9 to 13 for teaching and training activities in Palliative Care Unit. The unit will also organise a poster competition and bike rally on October 13. Solace, a musical evening in aid of cancer patients, will take place on October 13 at NEIGRIHMS Indoor Stadium featuring Headingson Ryntathiang, Colors, 4th Element, Phom Lyttan, Halcom Tariang etc.