Expanding palliative care to patients with chronic illnesses is set to be promoted through new legislation, as the failure of the health system to provide holistic care to those in need has led to discussions on the right to euthanasia.

Dr Sophia Nestoros of the Anti-Cancer Society and Arodafnousa Palliative Care Centre, who participated in the debate around the proposed legislation, said palliative care was a holistic approach offered by a team of health experts to all patients with chronic illnesses.

“It is not just our body. It is our thoughts and our emotions, as well as our spirit,” Nestoros told the Cyprus News Agency.

She said doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and providers of complementary health services, such as physiotherapists, aromatherapists and spiritual guides, were all part of palliative care.

Palliative care in Cyprus was first discussed in 1971 to provide care for cancer patients. Arodafnousa opened in 1976 and expanded its services to home care in 1990. A social worker and psychologists joined the team in 1996.

“We began being a scientific group in early 2000 and we offered care to all patients in Arodafnousa, not only for their body, but their soul, their social and spiritual problems,” Nestoros said.

She added that today there are two other centres in Cyprus providing palliative care to cancer patients.

Patients are usually referred to Arodafnousa by their oncologist and care includes getting to know the patient’s family.

The Anti-Cancer Society mainly visits patients at home.

Nestoros explained that all services are free of charge and that, although the centre has joined Gesy, it was still necessary to hold charity events to fund treatments not covered by the health system.

Palliative care, the EU says, should be part of the national health system and accessible to anyone who needs it.

If and when the bill is passed, it will cover all chronic diseases and “will secure the provision of quality palliative services and support to all the patients who need it, regardless of age,” Nestoros said.

Referring to euthanasia, she said a person must be suffering terribly to ask to die.

“That is why palliative care is offered to all those with chronic illnesses who might be suffering […] It is on a rare occasion that someone will come and ask to die because they can’t take it any longer,” she added.

Nestoros said it was necessary to offer comprehensive care so patients do not suffer.

She said palliative care should be offered to all patients, as in Cyprus it currently only covers cancer patients.

“People suffering from other chronic illnesses have nothing,” Nestoros said.