UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: A majority of cancer patients reporting to a tertiary care hospital like the Regional Cancer Centre, Trivandrum, India (Per Capita income US $250) are beyond the ambit of curative management. and the only succor is Palliative Care. An NGO ‘Care-plus' was conceived for domiciliary care as Government funding for this is not available. Methods: The Registered Charity has a target of identifying 400 donors who can keep contributing 1000 Indian Rupees (approximately 25 USD) yearly which helps them to support the salaries of a doctor, nurses, besides buying essential Palliative Care Medicines dressing materials, maintaining an ambulance and cell phone. Patients referred to the Palliative Care Division of the RCC while being registered are followed up and identified for possible home care. Volunteers trained in home care provide logistic support, besides helping in meeting other felt needs. Results: On an average three house visits are made every day six days a week. In situations with severe financial constraints with governments, and given the low per-capita income and high incidence of needy cancer patients, this gesture has generated tremendous good will with the public , has received good media coverage, and is becoming increasingly popular. On an average 80 visits are made a month which includes re-visits. Procedures like ascitic or pleural tap, enemas, wound care giving IV fluids are possible in the home setting besides dispensing of oral morphine and other medicines. It provides for better bereavement support, anticipatory grieving and rehabilitation.