Omani palliative care gets a big boost with graduation of nurses

Muscat: Care for terminally ill cancer patients across the Sultanate got a boost with the graduation of 360 Omani palliative care nurses from a public-private-partnership training programme.
The nurses recently attended a special ceremony at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Muscat under the auspices of the patron of the event, His Highness Sayyid Taimur bin As’ad bin Tarik Al Said, to mark their certification.
The training was coordinated and implemented by the Oman Cancer Association (OCA) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and funded by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to further develop infrastructure for palliative care in the Sultanate.
“The palliative care programme is one of our landmark projects to serve patients, survivors, their families and the community. PDO has always supported OCA in these very worthwhile programmes.
“Even though this successful programme was organised and conducted by Oman Cancer Association, without the support, understanding and funding by Petroleum Development Oman it would not have been possible to realise its excellent results. Palliative care is an integral part of our delivery of healthcare,” said Dr. Wahid Al Kharusi, President of OCA.
Raoul Restucci, Managing Director at PDO, added that the company is pleased to sponsor the training of these nurses, who will now be able to help and provide the necessary level of care and support to cancer patients across Oman and provide some peace of mind to their loved ones.
The three-year programme has enabled the nurses to improve the quality of life for cancer sufferers and their families through a holistic approach, including pain prevention and relief.
International experts from globally recognised institutions, and under the umbrella of the Middle East Cancer Consortium, the Oncology Nurses Society and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, conducted the training.
The Palliative Care programme was also awarded His Majesty’s Award for Community Services in 2017.