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3 Minimum Package of CareEnsuring that the sick personand the family receivequality care regardless oforganizational constraintsrequires a minimum level of care.Although the comprehensive carepackage described above may seemenormous for implementers withlimited resources or those in theirearly stages of development, theminimum package will guide suchimplementers in the delivery of qualitycare.It is important to – withoutcompromising the quality of caregiven to patients and clients – setpriorities from among the minimumpackage elements to be implemented,and then work towards achieving thefull complement of services beyondthe minimum to the comprehensivepackage. A strong referral andnetworking system is essential toThe minimum HCBC packageincludes:• Nursing and palliative care• Clinical care emphasizingtreatment literacy andsustainability• Family care and support• Capacity building• Linkages, referral andnetworkingMinimum Package of Careensure that all the elements of thecare package are addressed bylinking the patient and family toneeded services.3.1 Elements of the HCBCMinimum PackageBasic human needs form thecore of the minimum HCBCpackage. Among these arehealth care, education and shelter, aswell as social and psychologicalsupport.3.1.1 Nursing Care and PalliativeCareThis aspect of the package includesall basic nursing care, the care of thedying, counselling and psycho-socialsupport, and pain relief. Palliativecare is the combination of active andcompassionate long-term therapiesintended to comfort and supportindividuals and families living with achronic, incurable life-threateningillness.3.1.2 Clinical Care with anEmphasis on TreatmentLiteracy and SustainabilityClient education is the essentialelement here, to ensure adherence tothe prescribed drug regimens for11