Embracing compassionate communities: A collective journey in palliative care
Today is Worldwide Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) – an annual day to raise awareness and support hospice and palliative care around the world. As Bangladesh’s population ages, the demand for palliative care services becomes increasingly urgent
Worldwide Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) is an annual day to raise awareness and support hospice and palliative care around the world. Established in 2005, it has become one of palliative care's most significant global days and has grown into a global movement.
The day is dedicated to celebrating and supporting hospice and palliative care initiatives that prioritise improving the quality of life for individuals facing serious and life-limiting illnesses.
Each year, a different theme is chosen to emphasise an important aspect of palliative care. The theme for WHPCD 2023 is "Compassionate Communities: Together for Palliative Care." This theme highlights the importance of communities working together to ensure that everyone has access to the palliative care they need, when and where they need it.
Palliative care is a specialised form of medical care that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and suffering associated with serious illnesses, particularly those that are life-threatening or life-limiting. The goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for patients and their families facing these challenging situations.
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Promoting palliative care in Bangladesh is crucial for addressing the healthcare needs of a growing population with chronic and life-limiting illnesses. It can improve the quality of life for patients, reduce suffering, and offer a compassionate approach to healthcare in a culturally sensitive manner.
Every year, on 14 October, the world comes together to observe World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD). This day serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of compassionate end-of-life care and an opportunity to advocate for better hospice and palliative care services worldwide.
In 2023, WHPCD holds special significance for Bangladesh as the nation makes significant strides in expanding access to community-based palliative care services.
Compassionate Communities: Together for Palliative Care
In a world that often seems to move at a breakneck pace, where the demands of everyday life can sometimes overshadow the most profound moments, the concept of "compassionate communities" stands as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity. This theme, "Together for Palliative Care," encapsulates the essence of what it means to care for one another in the face of life's most profound challenges.
Why compassionate communities matter
Compassionate communities are those in which individuals, families, friends and neighbours come together to provide support, care and comfort to those facing serious illness, particularly those at the end of life. These communities recognise that palliative care is not just the responsibility of healthcare professionals but is a collective effort that involves everyone. It's about fostering an environment of empathy and understanding where no one faces the journey of a life-limiting illness alone.
Human Connection: At its core, palliative care is about honouring the dignity and humanity of individuals as they navigate the challenging journey of serious illness. Compassionate communities provide the human connection that is essential for individuals and their families during this time.
Reducing Isolation: Serious illnesses can often lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Compassionate communities break down these barriers, ensuring that individuals and families have a support network to lean on.
Enhancing Quality of Life: Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life for those facing serious illness. Compassionate communities contribute to this goal by providing emotional, social and practical support, allowing individuals to focus on what matters most to them.
Supporting Caregivers: Family members and caregivers often bear a significant burden when caring for a loved one with a serious illness. Compassionate communities offer support to these unsung heroes, recognising the challenges they face and providing resources to ease their journey.
Respecting Diverse Needs: Compassionate communities respect and embrace the diverse needs of individuals and families. They recognise that each person's journey is unique, and they tailor their support accordingly, respecting cultural, spiritual and personal beliefs.
Ways to foster these compassionate communities
As we embrace the theme "Compassionate Communities: Together for Palliative Care," let us remember that palliative care is about more than just managing symptoms – it's about fostering an environment of empathy, understanding and love. It's about acknowledging that we are all part of a larger community, and our collective responsibility is to support one another during life's most challenging moments.
Compassionate communities demonstrate that palliative care is not confined to hospitals or healthcare institutions. It is a movement that transcends boundaries, cultures and backgrounds, uniting people in a shared commitment to ensure that no one faces serious illness alone.
By working together, we can make palliative care accessible, compassionate and meaningful for all, enriching the lives of individuals and communities alike.
Education and Awareness: Raising awareness about the importance of palliative care and the role of compassionate communities is the first step. Workshops, community meetings and educational programmes can help spread knowledge and understanding.
Community Engagement: Engage community leaders, organisations and volunteers in promoting and providing palliative care services. Local partnerships can be formed to enhance resources and support.
Open Dialogue: Encourage open and compassionate conversations about end-of-life wishes and care preferences. Advance care planning ensures that an individual's values and goals are respected.
Volunteer Networks: Establish volunteer networks within communities to provide practical assistance, companionship and emotional support to individuals and families in need.
Crisis Response: Prepare compassionate communities to respond effectively to crises or unexpected situations, offering timely support and resources to those affected.
The need for palliative care in Bangladesh
Bangladesh, like many other countries, faces a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and respiratory conditions. As the nation's population ages, the demand for palliative care services becomes increasingly urgent. Many patients with advanced illnesses experience physical and psychological distress, pain and suffering, which can be effectively managed with palliative care.
In Bangladesh, community-based palliative care is emerging as a game-changer in the healthcare landscape. This approach recognises that care and support for individuals with life-limiting illnesses should extend beyond the walls of hospitals. It aims to provide holistic, patient-centred care within the comfort of patients' homes, allowing them to remain in familiar surroundings surrounded by loved ones.
Education, training and awareness are the critical aspects of expanding community-based palliative care and this includes healthcare professionals, doctors, nurses and community health workers. Also includes family and community networks. Caregivers are educated and supported, and communities are engaged in understanding and supporting palliative care initiatives.
Pain and Symptom Management: Effective pain and symptom management are at the core of palliative care. Medications and interventions are used to relieve distressing symptoms, improving the quality of life for patients.
Psychosocial Support: Palliative care recognises the importance of addressing the emotional and psychological well-being of patients and their families. Counseling and emotional support are integral components.
Advance Care Planning: Patients are encouraged to make decisions about their care and treatment preferences, helping ensure that their wishes are respected, even in the face of severe illness.
The path forward
On this WHPCD, let us all join hands to advocate for better access to palliative care services in Bangladesh. It's notable that a development initiative is being implemented with the support of the Non-Communicable Disease Control (NCDC) programme of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) at Narayanganj District, namely "Compassionate Narayangonj."
The project title is 'Building an Integrated age-attuned Model of Supportive Palliative Care in Bangladesh' as a piloting initiative of AYAT Education in collaboration with WHPCA, BSMMU, St. Christopher's Home and Narayanganj City Corporation.
This project aims to integrate palliative care into the public health system by upskilling youth volunteers, health workers, nurses and physicians working at the subdistrict level and in rural communities.
Access to palliative care services at the community level in Bangladesh can help to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a life with dignity and comfort, even in the face of serious illness and death.
Sumit Banik is a Public Health Activist and Trainer (Email: [email protected])
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
