Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Nubra on August 1 provided comprehensive palliative care to two patients with advanced-stage cancer through a multidisciplinary approach, ensuring seamless continuity of care from hospital to home.

In the first case, a 42-year-old woman from the remote village of Hunder Dok, diagnosed with a metastatic neuroendocrine tumour with liver metastasis, was admitted under the care of the Consultant Physician for stabilisation and symptom management. After her condition improved, she was discharged for Home-Based Palliative Care.

The Consultant Anaesthetist and Certified Palliative Care Physician coordinated with the Community Health Officer (CHO) and Female Multi-Purpose Health Worker (FMPHW) of the AAM Sub-Centre, Hunder Dok, to ensure uninterrupted care. Regular home visits were conducted, providing pain and symptom management, nursing care, counselling, caregiver education, and long-term oxygen support through an oxygen concentrator.

In the second case, a patient with metastatic breast cancer received inpatient palliative care at SDH Nubra under the supervision of the Consultant Anaesthetist and Certified Palliative Care Physician, with teleconsultation support from the Senior Consultant Surgeon at SNM Hospital, Leh.

The patient received comprehensive pain and symptom management, orthopaedic consultation, physiotherapy, nursing care, psychological support, and caregiver counselling. Following significant symptomatic improvement, the patient is being prepared for discharge to continue Home-Based Palliative Care with regular follow-up.

The successful management of both cases was made possible through the coordinated efforts of the Consultant Anaesthetist and Certified Palliative Care Physician, Consultant Physician, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Nubra, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Consultant General Surgeon, CHOs, FMPHWs, staff nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

The initiative reflects SDH Nubra's commitment to delivering holistic, compassionate, and patient-centred palliative care services, ensuring quality healthcare reaches even patients in remote areas of the district.