12 October,2014 08:52 AM IST | | Chetna Sadadekar
On World Hospice and Palliative Care day, activists and doctors call for better end-of-life care for patients
For those battling terminal illnesses, effective palliative care is godsent. On Saturday, Happy Feet Home, a day care centre at Sion, in collaboration with Tata Memorial Hospital, observed World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.
Children perform at the programme held at Tata Memorial Hospital. Pic/Datta Kumbhar
Health activists, doctors, patients and families came together to create awareness and organised performances by and for HIV-positive children. Happy Feet Home works with Sion and Tata hospitals to make the life of 75 terminally ill children meaningful and comfortable.
Caring for a loved one battling with a terminal illness is arduous. The programme also emphasised on the need for parents of children, who, most often, are their caregivers, to receive support.
Dr Navin S, who is associated with the Palliative Care department of Tata Memorial Hospital, said, "The moment people think of terminally-ill patients, they think euthanasia. That's an ongoing debate, but the need of the hour is care and love, appropriate medical guidance and counselling for parents and caregivers."
Abhishek Tatiya, co-founder of Happy Feet Home, said, "At the day-care, we help children perform meaningful activities and parents are counselled on managing difficult medical and emotional situations. Awareness on palliative care is the need of the hour."
