Introduction:

No Society can call itself civilized if its under privileged members – the orphans, the disabled, the incurably ill are denied care and attention. How do we generally deal with the incurably ill? Once a disease is declared incurable, the medical system considers its work done.

Fortunately in India, family ties are strong, and most families look after their own.
But when the relatives are not capable of doing this, or when they are helpless and need to be supported, the society has the responsibility to help them.

The patient is sent home to die in misery. “There is nothing more we can do” will be what they hear. So they take him home. Willing relatives are often eager to help; but they seldom know what to do. How can they help their relative in pain, with vomiting, breathlessness and a host of other symptoms? Where will he then go for relief from his pain, breathlessness or other problems?

What is Palliative Care?

The relatively new specialty of palliative medicine offers some answers to some of these questions. It attempts to provide pain relief and to control other symptoms, at the same time offering emotional, social and psychological support for the family members and the patients with incurable illness.

The magnitude of the problem is enormous. There must be at least 1.5 million cancer patients in India. We have no reliable statistics, but it is a fair guess that at least 90% of them would be detected late, and would be incurable at the time of diagnosis. And two-thirds of these would develop pain at some time or other.

Ideal Palliative Care Center:

Palliative care center creates an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness.

	Provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms.
	Affirms life and regards dying as a normal process
	Intends neither to hasten or postpone death
	Integrates the psychological aspects of patient care
	Offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death
	Offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient’s illness and in their own bereavement
	Uses a team approach to address the needs of patients and their families, including bereavement counseling, if indicated
	Will enhance quality of life, and may also positively influence the course of illness

Delivery of Palliative care:

The following general principles will be worth remembering while planning palliative care center.

	Team of Doctors consist of Palliative care physician, Psychiatrist, and Oncologist
	Paramedical team consist of volunteers from the society, V.H.N qualified community Health workers, P.G qualified Sociologist, P.G qualified Psychologist, Three years Diploma in General Nursing & Midwifery qualified Staff Nurse, D. Pharm qualified Pharmacist and Coordinator
	A good home care system
	Hospice care for needed people.
	A good public awareness and information providing system.

Why in Madurai?
Madurai is an important destination of South Tamilnadu and considered a commercial, social, medical centre of surrounding of two revenue divisions, seven revenue taluks and thirteen blocks. Population of 25, 62,279 and areas of 3741.73 sq. km. There is no such an organized palliative care centre. Ours is going to be first kind of that in Madurai and also in South TamilNadu.

Conclusion:
As part of our objective and the guidance from our board members as well as General Physician, Anesthetist, HIV Physician in the society we have decided to serve for the incurable illness people, and their family members also especially those who are in low socio economically background by providing pain relief, , offering emotional, social and psychological support to patients and their family members.