The Damongo Catholic Diocesan health Directorate, in collaboration with the German Rotary Volunteer Doctors (GRVD), has organized a three-day intensive workshop on palliative care for healthcare professionals in Damongo. The training, which is expected to run from 4th – 6th February, 2025, is aimed to equip medical staff with essential skills to provide comprehensive care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
The workshop brought together local doctors, nurses, and palliative care specialists, including a team from Germany, to discuss best practices in pain and symptom management, communication, and end-of-life care. Topics covered included pain management, advance care planning, constipation management, self-care for caregivers, and the integration of palliative care into everyday medical practice.
According to Uta Sommer, a palliative care specialist nurse from Germany and a member of the GRVD, the initiative is part of a broader effort to promote palliative care throughout Ghana.
“We are in Ghana to teach palliative care and to spread its importance across the country. Our goal is to ensure that patients who are in a palliative care situation receive the best support possible, especially those at the end of life,” she stated.Dr. Rexford Quarshie, a local physician specializing in palliative care, emphasized the critical need for such training in Ghana.
“Many patients with severe or incurable illnesses are often left to suffer because hospitals cannot offer them treatment. Some turn to prayer camps, while others die at home without adequate medical support. Palliative care bridges this gap by ensuring these patients receive compassionate and professional care until their final moments,” he explained.This is the second time the training has been held in Damongo, following an initial session last year that focused on creating awareness. This year’s workshop sought to reinforce previous lessons and encourage healthcare workers to apply their knowledge in practice.
Dr. Rexford also noted that palliative care is not only for terminally ill patients but also for individuals with life-limiting conditions such as cancer.
“Even if a patient is undergoing treatment for a disease like breast cancer, palliative care can improve their quality of life. The support doesn’t stop after recovery or in the case of death; it extends to the patient’s family as well,” he added.The training program, while initially organized in collaboration with the Catholic Diocese, is open to healthcare facilities beyond Catholic institutions. Dr. Rexford affirmed that any hospital or medical facility interested in incorporating palliative care into their services is welcome to join the initiative.
Palliative care education has now been integrated into medical and nursing school curriculums across Ghana, ensuring that future healthcare professionals are well-equipped to provide this specialized form of care.
The successful completion of the Damongo workshop marks another step in expanding palliative care services in Ghana, giving hope to patients with serious illnesses and their families.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
