Bashkiria is ahead of many regions in palliative care development

UFA, 28 April 2017. /Bashinform News Agency, Gulfiya Akulova/. Bashkortostan is ahead of many regions of the country in palliative care development. This was stated by the chief specialist on palliative care for the adult population of the Ministry of Health RB, deputy head physician of the Republican Clinical Hospital of Veterans of War Irina Bakulina, speaking at a round table organized by the Public Chamber of the region on the topic.

For those in need of this type of care there are 1137 beds, 17 visiting teams, 36 offices. The legislative and regulatory framework is worked out. The main indicators of the medical segment are defined in the framework of the long-term target program "Development of Health Care in Bashkortostan". By the end of its implementation in 2020, the provision of beds per 100,000 adults should reach 48. At the end of 2016, this figure was more than 30 units.

According to the International Narcotics Control Board, Russia ranks 38th out of 42 on availability of narcotic anesthesia in Europe and 82nd in the world. At the beginning of the last year, more than 1.4 million patients with malignant neoplasms were registered in the country. About 240,000 patients needed an adequate anesthesia with non-invasive analgesics.

There are different problems in palliative medicine, but they need to be addressed in a comprehensive manner, it was said at the round table. According to the president of the National Medical Chamber of Bashkortostan, Damira Sabirzyanova, anesthetizing medicines should be available within walking distance. "Inpatient care in the republic is properly handled. But there must be continuity in the care of seriously ill patients: hospital - hospice - social services at home. Someone should start to be engaged in hospices work. There are many abandoned premises in the republic, they can be converted to hospices", says Olga Panchikhina, the chairperson of the Public Chamber RB.

The doctors note that the population does not use the "hot line" on anesthesia issues. Currently, there are 24-hour toll-free numbers available: the Federal Service for Supervision of Health - 8-800-500-18-35 and the Ministry of Health RB - (347) 218-00-53, 256-10-25.

It was suggested to consider a possibility of creating hospices and providing mechanisms for extra-budgetary financing through participation of NCOs in grant programs and competitions. The Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Sport RB are recommended to organize training of volunteers on providing palliative care.