Disaster and Dignity: Palliative Care Action Plan for Flooding in Garo Hills, Meghalaya

Authors

  • Sunjida Shahriah Fellowship in Palliative Care Programme, Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode, Kerala, India Author
  • Risa Vernette N. Sangma Department of Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India Author
  • Shoon Mya Aye Fellowship in Palliative Care Programme, Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode, Kerala, India Author
  • Hemdeep Kaur Department of Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Delhi, India Author
  • Sidharth Puri Department of Critical Care Medicine, Paras Hospitals, Panchkula, Haryana, India Author
  • Somaye Pouy Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran Author
  • Suman Seshkar Fellowship in Palliative Care Programme, Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode, Kerala, India Author
  • Sucheera Amornmahaphun Karuna Peera Kamthorn Palliative Care Center, Roi Et Hospital, Roi Et, Thailand Author
  • Sachin Dwivedi Fellowship in Palliative Care Programme, Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode, Kerala, India Author
  • Shyh Poh Teo Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, RIPAS Hospital, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.15

Keywords:

community health, disaster planning, health services accessibility, natural disasters, palliative care

Abstract

Palliative care is an essential component of healthcare systems, which aims to improve the quality of life for people facing life-threatening illnesses and their families through symptom control, psychosocial support, and dignity in care. In disaster situations where health systems are often overwhelmed and resources are strained, the integration of palliative care becomes crucial to address the needs of vulnerable populations. The Garo Hills region of Meghalaya, Northeast India, is geographically remote, vulnerable to annual flooding, and has limited access to health services. This paper explores the theoretical development of a palliative care action plan for the flood-prone region of Garo Hills, Meghalaya, conceptualized as a group exercise for the Fellowship of Palliative Care 2022 to address palliative care needs in a neglected setting. Strategies to obtain buy-in for a palliative care intervention are described based on three target groups: national and international support, neighboring regions, and the Garo community. Given the region’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters, the action plan emphasises community-based preparedness and the integration of palliative care into humanitarian response efforts. This conceptual framework is intended as a guide for managers, humanitarian actors, and policymakers, with potential adaptation to other disaster-prone regions, where palliative care is necessary. No disaster response is complete without attention to those who may not survive.

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References

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Published

2025-12-24

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025): International Journal of Disaster Risk Management

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Sunjida Shahriah, Sachin Dwivedi, Sucheera Amornmahaphun, Suman Seshkar, Somaye Pouy, Sidharth Puri, Hemdeep Kaur, Shoon Mya Aye, Risa Vernette N Sangma, Shyh Poh Teo

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How to Cite

Shahriah, S., Sangma, R. V. N., Aye, S. M., Kaur, H., Puri, S., Pouy, S., Seshkar, S., Amornmahaphun, S., Dwivedi, S., & Teo, S. P. (2025). Disaster and Dignity: Palliative Care Action Plan for Flooding in Garo Hills, Meghalaya. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(2), 279-294. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2025.7.2.15

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