How this Buddhist Temple in Thailand is helping terminally ill patients
Terminally ill patients in Thailand have found refuge in a Buddhist temple which helps them live their final days in peace.
The Wat Pa Noen Sa-Ard temple located in the Chok Chai district in the Nakhon Ratchasima province provides spiritual guidance and physical care for these persons who no longer require aggressive medical treatment but are living with terminal illnesses.
Monks at the temple use relaxing techniques to ease the mental and physical suffering of these patients.
Section 12 of Thailand’s National Health Act allows terminally ill patients to refuse medical treatment ethically.
Such patients are encouraged with these methods which improve their overall well-being and align with Buddhist teachings.
The temple’s practice complements the World Health Organisation’s mission to improve the quality of life for terminally ill individuals.
Wat Pa Noen Sa-Ard temple has been certified by the Department of Health as a public palliative care facility but lacks financial support from the Office of National Health Security (NHSO).
Despite easing the burden on local hospitals by caring for patients usually abandoned by their families, the temple depends mainly on donations to operate.
The World Health Organisation is projecting an increase in palliative care with an estimated 56.8 million people expected to benefit from such services annually.
