Be a partner in palliative care
The Sahana Sevena Hospice, a transit home for patients seeking treatment at the Apeksha Cancer Hospital in Maharagama, yesterday marked the world palliative care day, with medical practitioners who run the facility appealing for donations.
This year, the Palliative Care Association of Sri Lanka (PCASL), which supports the hospice, marked the day on a subdued note due to the pandemic situation in the country. In previous years, lectures and symposiums were held to mark the day which falls on October 10.
The PCASL was launched in 2014 under the patronage of the College of General Practitioners to provide care and comfort to terminally ill patients who need comfort and care.
The Sahana Sevena Hospice (SSH) was set up by a group of general practitioners with the good intentions o f providing help to cancer patients receiving treatment at Apeksha.
Situated close to the cancer hospital, the hospice provides free food and lodging for about 15 patients and a family member accompanying the patient.
Dr Darrel Mathews, President of the College of General Practitioners, said the concept was to help patients coming from faraway places to stay overnight and get treatment at the cancer hospital.
The PCASL works in collaboration with the World Health Organisation which trains doctors and nursing staff in palliative care. In association with the Institute of Palliative Medicine of India in Kerala it conducts certificate courses across the country, training doctors, nurses and care givers in palliative care. So far it has trained about 460 doctors and 40 caregivers and nurses.
The association also provides nutritional supplements to needy patients at the Apeksha hospital and in hospitals in several areas, including Kalubowila, Anuradhapura, Galle and Matara.
In addition to regular visits by doctors, the hospice also provides counseling to patients and their families. This includes spiritual and physical therapy.
The daily meal plan for 15 persons costs Rs. 1,500 for breakfast, Rs. 4000 for lunch, Rs. 3500 for dinner and Rs.500 for morning or evening tea.
The public are welcome to donate meals to patients. Interested people can send their donations to the Palliative Care Association of Sri Lanka's account no. 1145013675 at the Ward Place branch of the Commercial Bank. For more details, call 0773355187 or send an email to palliativecare@gmail.com.
In addition to regular visits by doctors, the hospice also provides counseling to patients and their families. This includes spiritual and physical therapy.