New ward provides care for terminally ill kids

A special children's ward built by the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center affiliated with Guangzhou Medical University has opened its doors to provide palliative care for terminally ill pediatric patients, aiming to uphold dignity and ease suffering.

The ward, named Yun Qi Xiao Gang, or Yunqi Harbor, began operations on Friday after a year of preparation. It is the first facility of its kind in Guangdong province.

Designed with warm and soothing features such as cloud-shaped lamps, teddy bear-shaped beds, personalized curtains, sofa beds and family rest areas, the hospice seeks to relieve pain and stress for children and their families, improve patients' quality of life during the terminal stage, and address both physical and psychological needs, local authorities said.

"Pediatric palliative care is not merely a medical practice, but also a comprehensive support system integrating medical, psychological, social and spiritual care," said Chen Feiyan, a senior physician in the pediatric intensive care unit at the center. "A multidisciplinary collaboration model with a professional team at its core is a solid foundation for ensuring service quality and meeting the diverse needs of children and their families."

When families apply for admission, Chen's team first contacts them to understand the child's condition. With the support of the center's critical care expertise and life support technologies, the team assesses whether treatment may still be possible. Only after reaching a consensus with the family on palliative goals is the referral completed.

The team now includes pediatric critical care, oncology, neurology and anesthesiology experts, as well as pharmacists, traditional Chinese medicine specialists and trained nurses. Core members also include medical social workers, psychological counselors, volunteers and administrative staff.

So far, the group has provided follow-up palliative services nearly 300 times and helped transfer more than 20 children to local hospitals.

"Yunqi Harbor allows terminally ill children to maintain dignity after doctors have made the greatest effort possible to rescue them," said Li Fang, director of the administrative office of the children's department at the center. "The ward will also help promote the development of children's health services."

Wei Jianrui, former Party secretary of the center, said the launch of Yunqi Harbor reflects social progress.

"Every patient should be respected and cared for," he said.

Lan Lishan contributed to this story.