Pics by Franklin D'Souza
Media Release
Udupi, Apr 28: “Lombard Memorial (Mission) Hospital, Udupi, is all set to open "Vatsalya", its Palliative Care Centre, which will cater to the increasing needs of cancer and end-of-life patients,” said Dr Sushil Jattanna, director Lombard Memorial hospital, Udupi.
Speaking at a press conference he said “Vatsalya is situated within the hospital premises on Mission Street, completing 100 years of service on June 15, 2023. Vatsalya is one of the milestone projects being established to mark the hospital's centenary year. Vatsalya Palliative Care Centre, will be inaugurated on Saturday, April 29 at 3.30 pm. Rt Hemchandra Kumar, Bishop of the CSI Karnataka Southern Diocese, will inaugurate the new facility. Dr Nagabhushan Udupa N, district health officer, will be the chief guest. Dr Sushil Jathanna, director of Lombard Memorial (Mission) Hospital, will preside over the function. Jayakar Shetty, general manager, Badagabettu Credit Cooperative Society, Dr Karthik, head of the department of oncology, KMC, Manipal, Dr Suresh Rao, director, Clinical and Administration, Mangalore Institute of Oncology; and Dr Vinay Rajendra, the surgical oncologist, will be the guest of honour”.
Even though more than 85% of deaths occur after a period of prolonged illness, debilitation and suffering, only less than 2% of India's population has access to pain management and palliative care. It is estimated that 5.4 million people a year in India stand to benefit from access to holistic care that is patient-centred and not disease-focused at the end of their lives. It is well known that the incidence of cancer is increasing, and each one of us knows someone who has cancer or has died from cancer. Looking after patients at home is extremely difficult for family and relatives, and it is expensive too. Hospitals are not the appropriate place to treat patients at the end of their lives, as what they need is tender love and care.
"Vatsalya Palliative Care Centre aims to provide community-based holistic care for cancer patients who are terminally ill and other end-of-life patients by taking care of their physical, psychological, social, emotional and spiritual needs. Its purpose is to improve the quality of life of these patients by ending their pain and suffering and relieving the burden of care for their families," said Dr Sushil Jathanna, Director of Lombard Memorial (Mission) Hospital.
Vatsalya Palliative Care Centre will be a standalone unit comprising general ward beds, special rooms, a treatment room, a therapy room, and a dining room. It is based on the hospice principle of the UK and is situated away from the main hospital in lush green surroundings with a herbal garden with medicinal plants in front of it for peace and tranquillity, yet near enough to the main hospital should the need arise. The centre is able to provide both short-term respite care and long-term care.
It will be monitored by a consultant physician and a team of doctors, including a consultant in palliative care, nurses, physiotherapists and counsellors.
Dr Sushil Jatanna, director of Lombard memorial hospital Sr. Deena, Administrative officer, Sr Helen Mathias, nursing superintendent, Dr Ganesh Kamath, senior medical officer, Rohi Ratnakar, head of the department of community services were present.