Published on: November 1, 2026

Looking beyond medical treatment to understand the lives of those receiving care

Being alive is a blessing. But how we live matters just as much. Being able to meet our basic needs, earn a living, maintain relationships, and live with dignity are all part of our quality of life. We seek healthcare to protect our health and improve our lives. But what happens when the cost of receiving care begins to affect the very life we are trying to protect?

I remember a couple. They were farmers who cultivated leased land for their livelihood. They had no children, and other members of their family were living with disabilities. The husband had developed a non-healing ulcer that significantly affected his mobility. Working in the fields while managing the wound became increasingly difficult. As his condition progressed, his wife had to spend more time caring for him, making it difficult for both of them to continue farming.

Government healthcare services were helpful, but they still had to purchase certain medications from private pharmacies. As the days passed, medical bills accumulated while their income declined. Eventually, they began borrowing money from relatives and friends to manage their expenses.

Borrowing money may provide temporary relief, but repeatedly depending on others can affect a person’s sense of independence and dignity. For this couple, the challenge was no longer limited to managing a wound. It had begun to affect almost every aspect of their daily lives.

Things began to change when they encountered a palliative care team.

The team addressed the husband’s medical needs, but they also took time to understand the couple’s circumstances. How were they managing their expenses? Were they able to attend medical consultations? What support did they have? What was affecting their quality of life?

Based on these assessments, their needs were identified and prioritised. Available resources within their family and community were explored. They received food assistance, reimbursements for certain medication expenses, travel allowances for medical consultations, mobility aids, and psychological support. Community members also contributed where possible.

Gradually, some of their difficulties began to ease. Financial assistance helped them attend necessary consultations and reduced their healthcare-related expenses. Both reported an improvement in their psychological well-being.

But there was another question worth asking. How could they be supported to earn a living again, considering their circumstances?

After all, they were farmers. They had knowledge and experience that could still be useful. Recognising these strengths, the team explored opportunities to help them rebuild their livelihood. With support, they started a small poultry farming activity, which the wife was able to manage.

Meanwhile, the husband became more independent in attending to his personal needs, reducing some of his wife’s caregiving responsibilities. This allowed her to devote more time to the poultry farming and contribute to their household income.

Their challenges had not disappeared. There were still gaps in the care and support available to them. However, their financial burden had reduced, they were able to manage their medical consultations more consistently, and they had regained some control over their everyday lives.

This experience made me reflect on something oftentimes overlooked in healthcare: ‘Are we treating only the illness, or are we caring for the person living with it?’

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as involving physical, mental, and social well-being, rather than merely the absence of disease. Through its concept of Universal Health Coverage, it also emphasises that people should be able to access the healthcare they need without experiencing financial hardship.

Yet, how often do we consider what patients and their families can actually afford?

Someone may need regular consultations but struggle to pay the bus fare. Another person may miss an appointment because there is nobody to accompany them. A family may manage to pay a hospital bill only by borrowing money or compromising other essential expenses.

Even when treatment is accessible, its financial consequences may continue. Patients may lose their income, family members may have to leave employment to provide care, and savings may gradually disappear. For those living with chronic illnesses, disabilities, mental health conditions, or prolonged care needs, these challenges can become part of everyday life.

These difficulties may not always appear in medical records, but they influence a person’s ability to receive treatment and maintain their quality of life.

This is why holistic care matters.

Understanding someone’s health requires us to look beyond their diagnosis. Their financial circumstances, emotional well-being, family responsibilities, social relationships, and personal beliefs can all influence their experience of illness and care.

Healthcare professionals, including medical social workers, have an important role in recognising these needs, connecting families with available resources, and supporting informed decisions. Healthcare institutions also have a responsibility to communicate treatment costs transparently and consider the practical challenges patients may face in following recommended care.

Of course, resources are limited, and not every difficulty can be resolved. Some people may regain a degree of independence with appropriate support, while others will continue to require assistance. What matters is understanding each person’s circumstances and providing care that responds to their needs rather than assuming the same approach will work for everyone.

When I think about that couple, I remember that managing the husband’s wound was only one part of their care. Helping them attend consultations, reducing their medical expenses, supporting their psychological well-being, and enabling them to rebuild a livelihood were also meaningful parts of the care they received.

Perhaps we need to look at healthcare a little differently.

‘Because caring for someone should not end with treating their illness. It should also involve understanding the life they are trying to live.’

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