5^th International Conference on
Palliative Care and Gerontology

Biography:

Thahir Noorul Isra qualified as a Social Worker in 2013. She has started to worked in Aroh India as coordinator of Community Base Comprehensive Palliative Care project. She started supervising Counselling students on placement when she became a Senior Practitioner in 2015 in Sri Lanka. Isra has initiated a CBCPC unit in the year of 2015 in Colombo-15 at Sri Lanka. In 2016 she has started a V4Us campaigned through the social media to familiarize the word “Palliative Care” among youngster. In 2017 National Cancer Control program invited her to share her experience on practicing palliative care in Muslim community in Sri Lanka. In 2015 Isra became a Rehabilitation Counselor in Rehabilitation of Person property and industry Authority (“REPPIA”). In 2019 Isra joined National Institute of Education as a Assistant Lecturer within the Skills and Inclusive Department. Along with she is carrying palliative care social work practice with her team.

 

Abstract:

Every patient gets fundamental right to receive good quality of care at the place where he/she lives. Home is a place of memories, familiarity and safety, a place where we remain comfortable, relaxed and confident and the best place for freedom of choice and autonomy. Unfortunately, it has become doubt due to Covid-19 pandemic situation. Unexpected lockdown increase level of stress among not only aged, but also general public (figure-1). Myths and media created anxiety among this vulnerable person. When lockdown period palliative care volunteer or front-line health care providers are not getting permission to express empathy and acknowledge emotions with patients and their families. They also surface level victims of Covid-19.  The palliative care social worker is playing a vital role in Community Base Comprehensive Palliative Care setting. He is a driven energy to the unit. Most of the patient spending their quality of days with the support of CBCPC. Lockdown has closed all doors with all supportive mechanism in Sri Lanka. First week of lockdown palliative care social workers received many calls from the patient and caregivers. It was a huge challenge. No access to the house. Form a help desk for receiving a call to hear them and empower through the empathy. Develop healthy relationship with forces and front-line health care providers to deliver essential services in their door steps. Arrange a facilitator to support when they need to link with palliative care doctors and other health workers. A group of volunteers gets involved to create awareness and educate the patient, family and the general public through the social and other media platform.  This strategy makes them to cope with the specific challengeable situation like Covid-19.