This is about to change, however, as the Gauteng Department of Health, Wits University, and a range of donors will on Friday launch the newly renovated Gauteng Centre of Excellence for Palliative Care.
The centre will give vulnerable, chronically ill patients a place to be more comfortable as their illness progresses to the advanced stages, through the provision of an integrated pain management programme, reports the Gauteng Provincial Government.
Director of the Gauteng Centre of Excellence for Palliative Care, Dr Natalya Dinat said access to pain relief was a human right.
“Patients and families affected by terminal and incurable illnesses should expect appropriate pain relief including morphine," said Dr Dinat.
According to information provided by Wits Palliative Care at least 370 290 people suffered a painful death from a life-threatening or severe advanced illness in 2005 due to a lack of such a facility.
The Gauteng Centre of Excellence for Palliative Care, located in the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, is the result of a public-private partnership and is the first of its kind in the public health sector.
"The centre sets a benchmark for the region through evidence based research, training and service delivery.
“We are working towards producing the necessary expertise and knowledge to empower other provinces to follow suit," explained Dr Dinat.
She further elaborated that the comprehensive care would be provided by a multidisciplinary team to patients living with a life-threatening or severe advanced illness, who are expected to progress towards dying and where care is particularly focused on alleviating suffering and promoting the quality of life.
"The approach focuses on symptom management, such as relieving pain and enhancing the quality of life and psychosocial needs."
The integration of the centre in a public health facility forms part of government's aim to improve the accessibility of vital services and paves the way for the formal training of nurses and doctors who understand the value for palliative care.
According to Dr Dinat, the centre has been at the forefront of researching, developing and piloting a model of palliative care.
Consequently, the Wits Palliative Care Unit has introduced a compulsory programme for Wits medical students. To date more than 500 students have graduated with knowledge and skills in palliative care.
"We hope the centre will pave way for a new approach to the management of life-terminal illnesses, particularly the pain diagnosis. When doctors says 'Sorry there's nothing more we can do', we want to remind people that palliative care says 'There is everything we can do' and eliminate the feeling of despair," concluded Dr Dinat.
Gauteng MEC for Health, Brian Hlongwa, is expected to deliver a key note address at the event.
Article published courtesy of BuaNews
