In a significant move to strengthen community healthcare, the district health authorities in Mohali are set to roll out a home-based palliative care service as a one-year pilot project. This initiative is designed to deliver compassionate, doorstep care to patients who are chronically or terminally ill, home-bound, or unable to access institutional facilities.
Project Implementation and Key Personnel
The civil surgeon has issued directives to ensure the smooth execution of this project. Senior medical officers at the district hospital, subdivisional hospitals in Kharar and Derabassi, and community health centres in Kurali, Banur, Dhakoli, and Lalru have been tasked with its implementation. Primary health centres in Gharaun and Bhoothgarh are also part of this coordinated effort.
The formally approved project focuses on enhancing patients' quality of life through a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. Under the plan, a palliative care team led by community health officers and supported by medical interns will visit each patient at their home.
Comprehensive Care and Team Structure
The services offered will be tailored to individual needs and may include support from dentists, physiotherapists, counsellors, and lab technicians. Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) are responsible for preparing duty rosters for allied health professionals and compiling patient lists organized by Community Health Officers (CHOs) and ASHA workers. In areas where CHOs are not available, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) will provide assistance.
Tentative home-visit schedules will be created in consultation with a nodal officer from the medical college to ensure proper clinical oversight. Officials believe this initiative will bridge critical gaps in end-of-life and chronic care, reduce unnecessary hospital visits, and bring dignity and comfort to patients within their homes.
Potential Impact and Future Scope
If the pilot proves successful, this model of home-based palliative care could be replicated across the state of Punjab, offering a blueprint for other regions. The project underscores a commitment to making specialized supportive care accessible to those who need it most.
What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on improving the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses. It aims to relieve symptoms, pain, and the stress of the illness for both the patient and their family. This care can be provided alongside curative treatments at any stage of a serious illness.
Key services typically include:
- Medical: Management of pain, fatigue, nausea, and treatment side-effects.
- Psychosocial: Counselling for anxiety, depression, and stress.
- Spiritual: Addressing questions about meaning, faith, and values.
- Practical: Assistance with financial, legal, insurance, or housing matters.
- Bereavement Support: Counselling for families after a loved one's death.
These services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team and are largely provided at home, though they can also be offered in hospital settings. Anyone of any age with a serious illness, such as cancer or heart disease, can benefit, helping them live as comfortably and actively as possible.
