GUWAHATI, Sept 5 - A stoma clinic will be started at Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati, from September 8.
This will be the first time ever that a dedicated Stoma Clinic would be set up in the north-eastern region.
As part of it, a day-long intensive workshop for nurses will be held on September 8, followed by interactive session with patients having stoma which will be conducted on September 9.
A �stoma� is an artificial opening created surgically on cancer patients to discharge stool or urine. It remains permanently in many patients.
Through proper care of the stoma and use of appropriate appliances, an ostomate or the person with stoma can lead a normal physical and social life, BBCI said in a statement.
Training will be imparted to nurses on recognizing stoma abnormalities, importance of effective communication in stoma care, including cultural and religious considerations, care of the stoma patient in the immediate post-operative period, support that may be needed to become independent, practical demonstration on understanding of the general nutritional requirements for the three types of stoma and of products used in stoma care, and finally, requirements for the safe discharge from hospital of a patient with a stoma.
At BBCI, permanent stoma is created on an average annually for 15-20 patients who are unable to take food orally or there is obstruction in discharge of urine or stool.
In addition to this, around 361 tracheostomies (stoma in the wind pipe) are performed at BBCI to overcome breathing difficulties for patients with advanced head and neck cancers.
The stoma clinic which is first of its kind in the region will help ostomates learn about stoma care, said BBCI.
The clinic will be managed by trained nurses under supervision of surgical oncologists at BBCI.
The Ostomy Association of India, which is a voluntary organisation of ostomates, nurses, and doctors dedicated to the service of fellow ostomates, will also train two nurses from BBCI at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, for rendering better services to patients of the region.
