MOH has celebrated the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, under the slogan “Equal access to palliative care”. On its Twitter account and “Live Well” platform, MOH posted an introductory infographic about the start and history of palliative care in the Kingdom. Moreover, several seminars and awareness activities will be organized to mark the day.
MOH said that these services currently include 50 consultants specialized in palliative medicine, and 15 cancer centers that include palliative care sections, in addition to 21 palliative care units in every health cluster.
Palliative care is a type of health care provided to patients and those who look after them, with the aim of reducing or alleviating their suffering against diseases. Palliative care is provided to people of all ages with serious or life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer, incurable neurological diseases, dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, stroke, kidney failure, liver failure, cirrhosis, chronic heart disease, incurable lung diseases, cystic fibrosis, bone marrow and blood disorders that require stem cell transplantation, and acquired immunodeficiency.
Palliative medicine provides treatment of symptoms such as pain, and shortness of breath. It also involves treating other medical problems according to each patient's condition, in addition to providing psychological and social support for patients and their families. It also involve providing urgent or at-home inpatient care, counseling for patients who are still receiving treatment and home care, and consolation and support to families after a loss.