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TWCC’s Palliative Care Programs for India, Nepal and Bangladesh
TWCC partners with institutions in India, Nepal and Bangladesh to improve palliative care services and access to such services in these countries. Its principal program is conducted with MNJ Institute of Oncology in Hyderabad, India, serving as a training center (for MD’s, nurses and allied health professionals), a clinical resource for Telangana, providing in-patient, ambulatory, domiciliary, rural outreach and hospice services for adults, children and adolescents, and also as a center of excellence in palliative care for the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and affiliated institutions through a network engaging other centers in India, Nepal and Bangladesh. TWCC has long supported Nepal in its efforts to develop palliative care services through “twinning” collaborations with British Columbia (BC) hospices (Victoria and Nanaimo, BC) and more recently through assistance with the development of a national strategic plan for palliative care. Training and other assistance is also provided to both Nepal and Bangladesh by MNJ and experts from TWCC and affiliated institutions/collaborators internationally.
MNJ Institute of Oncology Pain Relief and Palliative Care Program
This program is based in Hyderabad, India and serves local, regional and international partnerships in South-East Asia as a “center of excellence” for palliative care for adults, children and adolescents with life-limiting disease, with the intent to evolve into a National Centre for Palliative Care (a virtual center).
The program at MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre is comprehensive and includes:
- Training and education for doctors, nurses, and social workers – using hospital based bedside teaching as well as ambulatory clinic, home care, hospice and rural outreach rotations. Trainees receive certification by MNJ and TWCC. MNJ staff, external faculty and visiting experts provide the training.
- In-patient and out-patient palliative care for adults, adolescents and children with cancer
- AYA has a dedicated service for adolescents and young adults provided not only in the in-patient wards, but in out-patient departments, the hospice and rural outreach programs.
- Kumundini Devi Hospice for adults, children and adolescents.
- Life@Your Doorstep - a dedicated mobile palliative care team that provides home visits for those in need through 3 staffed vehicles.
- Rural Outreach (presently serving 30 rural and remote villages)
- Training in Skills Development and Art and Play Therapy (for children)
- Establishment of a pain-free pediatric oncology ward
- Pediatric palliative training for Nilofur Children’s Hospital staff.
- Regional PC Training for India, Nepal and Bangladesh within the MNJ –based curriculum and facilities.
- Support for fellowships, skills-training courses, conference participation and observerships at local and international venues.
Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI)
CHAI provides palliative care services and support for the indigent population in India, serving about 200 million people through its distributed network of CHAI hospitals. Currently, CHAI provides non-medical -based care through nurses and other allied health professionals. They participate in the MNJ education programs, regularly sending staff for educational and skills-based training. It is anticipated that a medical-based component to CHAI’s activities will be developed. In furthering its activities, CHAI works in collaboration with TWCC and with the MNJ Institute of Oncology. A health services research capability is under development with University of Edinburgh.
St. Mary's Hospital in Bangalore, India
TWCC collaborates with St.Mary’s Hospital to provide infrastructure support for its palliative care program.
Bangladesh Training Program
Delegates from Bangladesh comprising doctors, nurses and social workers participate in the training courses in palliative care organized by the MNJ Institute of Oncology in Hyderabad, India
Nepalese Palliative Care Program
- Teaching nurses palliative care in Nepal
- Palliative Care Unit in Nepal
The Nepalese Association for Palliative Care (NAPCare) is working with TWCC, the Nepalese Ministry of Health and WHO to develop a national strategic plan for palliative care for the country. This plan is expected to be presented to the government of Nepal in April 2017 for approval.
Expansion of palliative care services at Bhaktapur Cancer Center and the Nepal Cancer Hospital (BJK Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bharatpur) in the Kathmandu region of Nepal with support from TWCC.
Establishment of district level palliative care units within Nepal and expansion of rural-based palliative care services, in conjunction with colleagues from the universities of Belfast and Warwick, UK.
Inclusion of oral morphine in the essential medicines list for Nepal.
Continued training of doctors, nurses and social workers in the principles of palliative care through the MNJ Institute of Oncology in Hyderabad, India.
