Earlier this week [12 – 13 June] an innovative new two day palliative care training for 23 health post workers was held at Green Pastures training centre as part of INF International’s post earthquake palliative care project, funded by EMMS International. It was led by INFI’s Sr Manju and Dr Dan Munday, supported by GPHRC palliative staff Purna Maya and Dr Ruth Powys [Russell] and community worker Binay. The participants were mainly from Lamjung and Gorkha areas.
This training was the first of its kind concentrating mainly on non communicable diseases like respiratory and cardiovascular, which are the greatest need in Nepal, but remain largely neglected. It was the first training using the Supportive and Palliative Care Tool for Low Income Settings [SPICT-LIS], a tool which has recently been adapted by an international consultative group following initial work we undertook in Nepal.
SPICT-LIS will help generalist clinicians identify patients with palliative needs, and empower them to treat appropriately and engage both patient and family in their care. The training also aimed to increase participants communication skills.
“These health post workers in remote areas are the front line of provision of care in rural areas and it was very exciting to see their enthusiasm and see how the palliative care endeavours that INF has facilitated over past years is making a difference,” says Dr Dan Munday.
Read more about INF’s palliative care programme.