Photo Stories

Hands On

Achieving a standard of palliative care doesn’t just involve sophisticated medical equipment, but creating an environment with the right mix of people on the right jobs. As patients are burdened with illness and family members struggle to cope, the need for support, sensitivity and empathy is paramount. Meet the volunteers at National Cheng Kung University Hospital’s palliative care ward. Inspired by Professor Chantal Chao Co Shi, a nurse turned educator who introduced the concept of palliative care to Taiwan, they have dedicated their lives to helping others manage their pain.

“My children have grown up so I am able to steal some time here and there to volunteer. The work here is very challenging,
but I’ve learnt so much from the different patients and gained a lot spiritually. Most people have worries about growing old,
but I am now able to approach the end stage of my life steadily and without fear.” – Wang Ying Fen, a volunteer for 8 years

Volunteers help to massage a patient’s feet with baby oil and steam as it is comfortable and helps to allay the effects of dry itchy and painful skin.

“I’ve learnt to have a clear mind and right attitude because it is easy to get carried away and bear the grief of others.
As a volunteer, when you put your own feelings into the picture, it’s hard to be there for the patients. It’s not about accompanying the patients physically, but mentally and emotionally. We can’t solve a family’s problems and are not medically trained, but we have hands to comfort with a sincere heart. It is a very humbling journey.“ – Zhang Yu Ying, a volunteer for 15 years

Zhang massages a patient while he sleeps and reflects while reading her volunteers’ journal.

“I randomly saw an ad in the newspapers calling for volunteers and thought – a housewife needn’t just know how to cook three meals and clean the house, there was much more we could do. I was quite nervous, so I started with simple tasks like ushering patients’ families or bringing patients to do their checkups. As I became close friends with some of the volunteers, I would follow them from department to department. This experience has taught me a lot about caring for people.” – Cheng An Ping, a volunteer for more than 20 years

Volunteers help to shower and massage a patient as he is treated to a spa session in the ward’s medical bathtub.