Published on: August 28, 2024

Rontu Sangma, Regional Facilitator NE, Pallium India, writes:

The Regional Resource Centre for Northeastern States under NHSRC organized a two-day Capacity Building Workshop on Community Participation (CP) and Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) on 30^th and 31^st July, 2024 in Guwahati, Assam.

The workshop brought together State and District Nodal Officers from various states, including Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland. As a Resource Person, I had the privilege of leading a session on “Palliative Care – Strengthening Home-Based Approach.”

(Image: Dixeeta Garg and Dr. Sanghamitra Bora with Rontu Sangma, at the event.)

Key Takeaways

The Northeastern states face unique contextual challenges in healthcare delivery due to their geographical diversity, cultural variations, and limited infrastructure. Home-based palliative care becomes crucial in such contexts, where patients often prefer to receive care within their familiar surroundings.

Community participation is at the heart of effective palliative care. During the workshop, the role of local communities, families, and caregivers in supporting patients with life-limiting illnesses emerged as an essential component. By involving them actively, we can enhance the quality of care and address psychosocial needs.

There is a need to strengthen a home-based approach. This can be done in three ways:

Firstly, Training and Capacity Building strategies for training healthcare providers, volunteers, and family members in delivering palliative care at home. This includes pain management, symptom control, and emotional support.

Secondly, to remember that palliative care goes beyond medical interventions. It encompasses emotional, social, and spiritual aspects. Participants explored ways to integrate these dimensions into care plans.

Thirdly, collaboration and networking through sharing of best practices, resources, and experiences can lead to better collaboration and improved patient outcomes.

The workshop underscored the importance of strengthening home-based palliative care in the Northeastern states. By empowering communities, enhancing skills, and fostering collaboration, we can ensure that patients receive compassionate care where they need it the most—within the comfort of their homes.