The Permanent Secretary of Health Philip Davies says they strive to provide the highest possible quality of care to all patients in our health facilities, and they are especially committed to provide sensitive care to patients who are terminally ill, including those with cancer, to ensure they are as comfortable and free of pain as possible in their final days.
He made these comments after a recent statement by NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad made reference to an alleged incident concerning the care offered to cancer patients at one of the health facilities.
Davies says unfortunately, Professor Prasad’s statement did not provide enough information for them to fully investigate his claims of inadequate treatment, but his statement is completely at odds with the services that the Ministry’s dedicated staff offers on a day‑to‑day basis when caring for cancer patients and others with terminal conditions.
Davies adds Prasad’s unsubstantiated claims risk causing unnecessary distress to patients and their loved ones at a time when they most need reassurance and sympathy.
He says their staff are qualified professionals who administer palliative care at major hospitals and work closely with support groups and NGOs to provide the best possible care and support to cancer patients.
The Permanent Secretary says the administration of drugs for pain relief (analgesics) at the end of life is highly technical and requires extensive specialist training and their doctors administer these drugs safely, and hospitals carry all the necessary drugs, including morphine in tablet, liquid and intravenous forms. There is no shortage of such vital products.
Davies says if any member of the public has a genuine concern about a patient, they should use the established facilities within the Ministry of Health, including their customer care feedback line, to register a complaint. They are also encouraged to raise their concerns directly with the medical or nursing personnel on site.
Davies says Professor Prasad appears not to have done any of those things adding he has not made a formal complaint or expression of concern and instead he has chosen to raise these sensitive issues directly in the media with no concrete evidence to support his case and little if any consideration of the upset his actions may cause to the patients concerned.
The NFP had claimed that cancer patients in the last days of their lives are left to die in hospitals or family members are being forced to take them home and provide care at their own expense adding this is unacceptable and inhumane.
They say an example of the pain and suffering of the cancer patients was witnessed first‑hand by one of their Vice Presidents at CWM Hospital two weeks ago where women acutely suffering from various forms of cancer were yelling and crying for assistance.
Prasad claims that there was no morphine, the common painkiller, to provide them relief.
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