Penza, 15 January 2018. PenzaNews. A mobile patronage team providing palliative medical care to elderly citizens over the age of 70 was created in Penza at the premises of a city clinic.

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"The work of the team, which includes a doctor-therapist and a nurse who have the skills of providing palliative care, is not only to provide treatment and medical support, but most importantly – care," deputy chief physician of the city clinic Elena Semechkina explained.

She added that by that moment only one team had been created.

"Local services have the task to make a register of patients who need palliative care, to approve the schedule of patronage team's visits, and consequently to increase the number of palliative teams," the deputy chief physician said.

As it was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Health of the Penza region, the contingent the palliative service works with are patients with severe illnesses including cancer and people after strokes, heart attacks and various traumas.

"During initial examination, a doctor diagnoses a patient, draws up a treatment and diagnostic plan and then if necessary supervises the patient in a daily mode. Training relatives or caregivers to take care of such patients is an important component," the department explained.

The Ministry of Health specified that 14 mobile patronage teams of palliative care is planned to be created in the Penza region.