From Shennong Health Promotion Station to International Compassionate Community

Abstract

Taipei City Hospital and Mr. Yi-Sung Ho, Director of the Board, Shennong Temple, as well as Chief of Village, Jiujia Village have been devoted to constructing the health promotion station by providing community congregate nutrition services for elderly and health consultation service based on Shennong Temple, Shilin. However, we faced the issue of how to get closer with the community as well as optimal resource utilization. After several sophisticated discussions with Professor Allan Kellehear, the initiator of Public Heath Palliative Care International (PHPCI), we've decided to turn the health promotion station to a compassionate community and revitalize the historical community with providing care from womb to tomb. We integrated local religious groups, communities, neighborhood stores and NGOs together with volunteers and residents to take part in our actions of care. Also, we sought for the support of administrative system including city mayor, district executives, and chief of village and head of neighborhoods as well as parliaments. The grand opening ceremony of Compassionate Community in Old Street, Shilin, Taipei City, Taiwan was held on April 6th, 2018. On the same day, Taipei City Mayor Dr. Wen-Je Ko, Commissioner of Civil Affairs, Commissioner of Health Department and Commissioner of Social Welfare signed to support our Compassionate Community. The Superintendent of Taipei City Hospital, Shilin District Executive, Chief of Jiujia Village and several councilors also signed to be supportive for the project. Furthermore, April 6th was announced International Compassionate Community Day of Taipei City. Therefore, a series campaign of care were introduced to the community including The Life Issue Cafe which guides the neighborhood in discussions of life, death and end-of-life care, the festival greetings for senior citizens living alone from student volunteers, cultural inheritance such as storytelling and religious ceremonies. By providing holistic care for the community, we want the ultimate goal which is to promote physical, mental and spiritual health of the participants in the community could be completed.