PANJIM: Focusing on reliving sufferings towards the last days of a patient’s life is the motto behind one of the first projects to be started and run by doctors belonging to the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Dilasa.
The centre that is under construction at Farmagudi, Ponda will cater to terminal illnesses like cancer and Alzheimer’s disease incorporating spirituality and meditation as part of the palliative care to patients.
Talking about the project, IMA President Dr. Prasad Netravalkar said changing life styles was a reason behind onset of diseases that are not curable.
“There are more people in their 70s and 80s that are disabled. There are more nuclear families and no one is willing to take care of the elderly. The entire project that began three years ago allows for these critically ill patients so they can die peacefully,” he said.
Though some pharmaceutical companies have showed their support to the project, financial help from the government side was a huddle they are hoping to overcome. Recent news of Rs. 35 lakh being released under the MPLAD scheme has raised their hopes.
Doctors associated with IMA Ponda along with Kala Academy and Kala Garh, Margao have decided to raise funds from a charity play called Lagnachi Bedi to be held on August 30 at Kala Academy.
All proceeds will go into the 5,000 square meter centre that will have specially trained nurses to provide palliative care. Infrastructure for the project is expected to cost Rs. 2.5 crore while maintenance funds and sinking funds are expected to be Rs. 2.5 crore and Rs. 1 crore respectively. So far the group have managed to raise Rs. 82 lakh through past fundraisers and the centre is expected to be completed by March 2016.
Patients will be charged between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 12,000 per month but the association has said they would consider those that were not able to pay the money.