The Palliative Care and Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

During this phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems and healthcare personnel are overwhelmed and are already prepared to treat an influx of patients affected. The corona virus poses an uncertain period of intense acute care crisis where hundreds of thousands of people theoretically could get infected, some fatally, and ten thousands could die. This article addresses the normal palliative care issues — Life quality, comprehensive care planning, Patient discernment preferences, treatment of pain and symptoms, and encouragement for caregivers over prolonged trajectories — seem small and weak in contrast. The use of the particular Palliative care skills and abilities needs to be part of the programme. To agree that death is imminent for any human being should be right for the health system. Extending the dying process in days, weeks, or months against the person’s wish is pointless; it will only prolong the physical and emotional agonies. Individual must be at peace at the end of the life and give as much dignity and comfort as possible, but intensive care units cannot give them the comfort or dignity they deserve. It basically means that all COVID- treating nurses will have expertise in the basics of palliative care, as well as access to opioids for symptoms management like breathlessness.