Stakeholders Want Improved Awareness, Acceptability Of Palliative Care In Healthcare System
Nigerians have been urged to embrace the palliative care system in the medical and health care service delivery to ensure all round health system in the country.
This formed parts of the submissions by stakeholders in the medical field of palliative care while speaking with journalists during a press conference in Ibadan.
The press conference was held at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan in commemoration of the annual HOSPICE and palliative care day as well as the celebration of the 10 years after the WHO passed resolution on palliative care.
President, Centre for palliative care in Nigeria, Professor Olaitan Soyannwo explained that though everyone is destined to die but people should not die in pain and suffering as a result of their health challenges
Professor Soyannwo said the palliative care centre provides psychological and moral supports for people with terminal diseases such as cancer and sickle cell or any form of life threatening injuries, also offering end of life care even after death.
She however solicited for improved awareness on palliative care saying not many people are aware that palliative care exist.
Also speaking, a professor of paediatric, professor Biobele Brown who said palliative care can also be provided for children, especially children with cerebral pulsy because of their inability to function well and achieve their life potentials.
Professor Brown said such children in developed countries live old because of the palliative care support they enjoyed, explaining that social and psychological support must be given to children affected with life threatening conditions in Nigeria.
Contributing, a palliative community nurse, Mrs Maboroje Abiodun appealed to community leaders and associations to set up local palliative care volunteers who would provide psychosocial support to patients with terminal illnesses in their communities.
While expressing the importance of palliative care to improved health care system, others who spoke on the occassion highlighted the success stories of the centre for palliative care in the past 10 years, appealing for its improved campaign and public awareness.
