“Every Wound Tells a Story – At Life’s End, Comfort Over Cure”

A life changing hands-on workshop was conducted by Centre of excellence in Interprofessional Advanced wound care, Manipal College of Nursing, MAHE Manipal in collaboration with Hospice and Respite Centre (MHRC)and CCEID, exploring the paradigm shift in care of wounds at end of life where empathy took precedence over curative interventions and healing to these patients means being present narrates Dr Elsa Sanatombi Devi the center coordinator. Dr. Seema Rajesh Rao, Director of MHRC, in her maiden talk as the chief guest illuminated her life’s profound experiences caring the patients end of life beyond their physical wounds, touching the inviable wounds within each patient-the vital layers of humanity. Her unique stories made deeper insight into being empathetic while caring with dignity.

Dr Judith A Noronha, Dean MCON, Manipal, shared her heartfelt reflections on the role of an empathetic nurse while caring for people with wounds calls for utmost accountability, compassion and unwavering commitment.

Dr Krithika Ra, Associate Professor, Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care, KMC Manipal, shared a simple yet profound stepwise approach to Advance Care planning at the end of life, bringing clarity, dignity and compassion as they take their decision in the Indian context with complex family system and diverse healthcare team members.

Dr. Olga Gershuni, Lecturer and Researcher Fontys University of Applied sciences and Maastricht University and International faculty at MCON, sharing insights that went beyond the clinical, and touched on the essence of timely conversations, patient autonomy, emotional preparedness, and preserving dignity in life’s final journey. She took the participants in a subtle experience of caring until the very last with thoughts that go beyond, highlighting the prominence of timely conversations, patients autonomy, their end of life emotional preparedness and dignity of choices in the final journey. The sessions were filled with reflection in groups to direct pathways for caring till the end.

Prof. Avtar Singh Cheema, Founder and CEO of Palliative peace, Chandigarh, Punjab shared his moving experiences reaching out to downtrodden and abandoned people needing end of life care for peaceful transition and offering dignified death with compassion beyond his boundaries. His life changing stories of each patient tell a story unique to be heard and felt.

Dr. Elsa Sanatombi Devi, Professor and Centre Coordinator, spoke her heart into a life healing experience using emotional freedom technique – guiding participants through a journey of self-healing and transforming emotions into a healing experience while dealing with end of life care. Healing with empathy, free from feelings truly resounds the real stories of both the patient and the caregiver who are the hidden patients. Participants had the opportunity to experience hands on unique demonstration of wound care led by Mrs Janet Alva, Mr Prasannakumara, Shreenidhi Jogi and Ms Effienia D Wahlang. The SDGs involved are Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) and Quality Education (SDG 4).