Navigating spirituality and science, Dr. Norhisham Main blends holistic care with cultural sensitivity to bring peace to terminal patients and their families.
While enduring excruciating pain, former secret society members have confided in Dr. Norhisham Main: “It’s okay. I am suffering because of my past misdeeds. This is a cleansing process.”
As a palliative care expert, Dr. Norhisham encounters patients confronting mortality with reactions ranging from spiritual acceptance to profound fear. Some request visits from specific faith leaders, while others face complications tied to spiritual practices, such as black magic talismans believed to offer protection or blessings.
Dr. Norhisham recalls one case involving a family concerned about inheriting a “generational spirit” from their dying grandparent. Despite his scientific background, he empathized with their worries and sought out a cleric to address their concerns.
“Providing the right spiritual guidance is essential for patients and families to find peace,” says Dr. Norhisham. Even skeptics cannot deny the serenity these rituals bring to their adherents.
His work has exposed him to diverse faith practices and taught him the intrinsic link between spirituality and medicine. “When death approaches, faith and science often intertwine,” he says, emphasizing that both are critical for navigating the final stages of life.
Holistic Care for Patients
As Senior Consultant and Head of Ng Teng Fong General Hospital’s Division of Supportive Care & Palliative Medicine, and Group Lead for Palliative Care at the National University Health System, Dr. Norhisham begins each day by prioritizing the medical and emotional needs of patients in hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes.
“Palliative care helps patients manage serious illnesses and regain some normalcy in their lives,” he explains. While often confused with end-of-life care, palliative care focuses on alleviating symptoms and supporting patients through treatments, not just in their final moments.
Spiritual well-being, Dr. Norhisham emphasizes, can significantly improve patients’ experiences. He recounts a patient reporting extreme pain despite no visible cause. After addressing the patient’s spiritual concerns through a faith leader, the patient’s pain decreased, illustrating the profound connection between emotional and physical health.
A Role for Spirituality in Medicine
Dr. Norhisham’s role extends beyond medicine. As President of the Muslim Healthcare Professionals Association, he helps patients navigate spiritual dilemmas, particularly in the Malay-Muslim community.
“When Muslim patients face challenges like being unable to perform prayers or pilgrimage, they feel immense distress,” he shares. Religious teachers often step in to provide guidance.
Singapore’s cultural and religious diversity further enriches his work. While modern chaplaincy has expanded to include non-Christian faiths, he frequently encounters rare practices such as the Malay charm needle ritual (‘susuk’). These traditions require specialized knowledge and consideration during medical procedures, such as MRIs.
Even non-religious patients have spiritual needs. “I ask them what gave them strength in past crises,” Dr. Norhisham says, using their responses to craft personalized support during their critical moments.
Addressing Family Needs
Family members often shoulder the emotional burden of caregiving and decision-making for palliative patients. Dr. Norhisham notes that their spiritual needs can be as pressing as the patient’s. In one case, resolving a family’s concern over a “generational spirit” provided relief and closure, allowing them to focus on their loved one’s care.
“Whether religious or not, everyone deserves peace of mind,” he says.
Blending Science and Spirituality
Although Western medicine seldom integrates spirituality, Dr. Norhisham goes beyond traditional medical responsibilities to fulfill his patients’ spiritual and emotional needs. He sees this holistic approach not as an alternative to medicine but as an essential complement, especially in a multicultural society like Singapore.
Ultimately, his goal is simple: to help his patients and their families find tranquility during one of life’s most challenging journeys.
