Caregiving approach to reducing pain: BIACH&RI's palliative care unit gets European recognition

European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) has designated the Palliative Care Unit of Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute (BIACH&RI ) as the `Centre for Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care' for 2023-2025.

The certificate was presented to BIACH&RI during a special programme held in Paris.

Nandamuri Balakrishna, Chairman of BIACH&RI, spoke congratulated the doctors of the exclusive palliative care unit. He urged the team to focus on reducing their fear and addressing other side effects such as severe pain in addition to providing regular treatment.

Dr. RV Prabhakar Rao, CEO of BIACH&RI, asked the team to reduce the pain and agony experienced by patients, particularly those in terminal stages, while also improving the quality of life for those beginning regular treatment for the disease.

Dr. TS Rao, Medical Director of BIACH&RI, expressed his gratitude to the Palliative Care Unit team members for receiving such international recognition, stating that it exemplifies the institution's standards.

According to Dr. Praneeth Suvvari, Consultant at Palliative Care Unit, the unit provides specialized medical care for people suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer or other end-stage diseases. Patients receiving palliative care may receive medical care for their symptoms as well as treatment aimed at curing their serious illness, he added.

Dr. Senthil Rajappa, HOD, Medical Oncology Department, BIACH&RI, has stated that Palliative Care is as important as regular cancer treatment and should be initiated in the early stages of cancer treatment.

BIACH&RI's unit is the only palliative care unit operating in Telangana among private sector health care facilities. BIACH&RI has established a 12-bed exclusive palliative care unit on its premises as part of the Exclusive Palliative Care Unit.

A five-member doctor team specializing in palliative care, an eight-member specially trained nursing team, and trained social workers provide dedicated care to patients in need of palliative care. This exclusive palliative care unit has treated approximately 4500 patients in the year 2022, demonstrating the excellent service provided by it.

The palliative care unit treats discomfort, anxiety, or insomnia caused by difficulty breathing. Patients will also be counseled/educated on lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, that can increase their activity level and slow the progression of their illness.

Palliative care is an interdisciplinary medical caregiving approach that aims to improve quality of life and alleviate suffering in people suffering from serious, complex, and often terminal illnesses. There are numerous definitions of palliative care in the published literature.

A wide range of diseases necessitate palliative care. The majority of adults in need of palliative care have chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (38.5%), cancer (34%), chronic respiratory diseases (10.3%), AIDS (5.7%), and diabetes (4.6%), according to WHO.