CPC RELIEVES CHILDREN FROM SUFFERING, PROMOTES QUALITY OF LIFE

BY FRANK KAUTEKA TEMBO

For many years, palliative care was not offered to pediatric patients and even today only a minority of children with incurable illness benefit from palliative care services.

With a growing population, an increase has been observed in regards to the prevalence of incurable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cancer and various disabilities associated with pain and suffering.

For children in extreme pain, including that of the body, mind and spirit, Children’s Palliative Care (CPC) is the solution.

In an interview with the Weekend Express, CPC Project Leader Jean Tauzie explained this ongoing project in greater detail.

What is Palliative Care (PC)?

The term ‘palliative care’ is derived from the Latin word ‘palliative’, meaning ‘to cloak’. The term refers to an approach to medical care that is focused on reducing the severity of distressing symptoms, rather than striving to cure, halt or reverse the progression of a disease.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines palliative care for children as a special, albeit closely related field to adult palliative care, which includes the active, total care of child’s mind and spirit, and involves giving support to the family.

Why did you come up with CPC project?

The Palliative Care Association of Malawi (PACAM) and its collaborating partners have been championing palliative care for adults since 2005. A baseline survey conducted in early 2011, with funding from the Department for International Development (DFID), revealed that many children in extreme pain and suffering were not being attended to. As a result, this project was established in two countries – India and Malawi – with a mandate to scale-up the delivery of children’s palliative care.

Which hospitals is the project targeting in Malawi?

In Malawi, this project will be piloted in three central hospitals: Zomba, Mzuzu and Kamuzu Central Hospital.

What are the aims of the CPC project?

The project aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life of children living with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses, as well as provide support to their families and attendants. By addressing HIV, health and child rights legislation, this project will change the policy environment that currently restricts the deliverance of CPC and availability of oral morphine for children’s use. By improving access to quality, children’s palliative care services, it is expected that the burden of care will be lifted from families, particularly women who will have greater capacity to generate income and break the cycle of poverty.

What challenges do you face?

Training health workers to better provide CPC services is a difficult task. Tracking the status and well being of discharged patients presents another ongoing challenge. Furthermore, the failure of patients to visit clinics, and poor communication with the districts on continuity of care is a serious problem we face. Finally, on occasion, the scarcity of drugs in hospitals disrupts the effective delivery of CPC.

What are future plans for the project?

We have plans to print advocacy materials to distribute to the community. Another plan we are initiating is the training of health workers in the country’s central hospitals. As well, we will be establishing focus groups where health professionals can discuss issues concerning children’s palliative care.

Do you have anything to add?

We are appealing to the media, health personals, organizations and members of the public to take part in sensitizing the community about children palliative care. Please, help us.