The Damongo Catholic Diocesan Health Directorate, in partnership with the German Rotary Volunteer Doctors (GRVD), has organized a three-day intensive workshop on palliative care for healthcare professionals in Damongo. Scheduled to run from February 4 to 6, 2025, the training aims to equip medical staff with essential skills to provide comprehensive care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
The workshop brought together local doctors, nurses, and palliative care specialists, including a team from Germany, to explore best practices in pain and symptom management, effective communication, and end-of-life care. Key topics covered included pain management, advance care planning, constipation management, self-care for caregivers, and the integration of palliative care into routine medical practice.
Uta Sommer, a palliative care specialist nurse from Germany and a member of GRVD, highlighted that this initiative is part of a broader effort to promote palliative care throughout Ghana.
Dr. Rexford Quarshie, a local physician specializing in palliative care, stressed the urgent need for such training in Ghana. He pointed out that this is the second time the program has been held in Damongo, following an initial session last year that focused on raising awareness. This year’s workshop aimed to reinforce previous lessons and encourage healthcare workers to apply their knowledge in practice.
Dr. Quarshie also emphasized that palliative care is not limited to terminally ill patients but extends to individuals with life-limiting conditions such as cancer.
Although the training was organized in collaboration with the Catholic Diocese, it is open to healthcare facilities beyond Catholic institutions. Dr. Quarshie encouraged any hospital or medical facility interested in integrating palliative care into their services to participate in the initiative.
Palliative care education has now been incorporated into medical and nursing school curricula across Ghana, ensuring that future healthcare professionals are well-prepared to provide this specialized form of care.
The successful completion of the Damongo workshop marks another milestone in expanding palliative care services in Ghana, offering hope and support to patients with serious illnesses and their families.
