PANJIM: Shanti Avedna Sadan, Loutolim opened its doors to terminally ill cancer patients some 28 years ago. From an old house donated by Elvira Noronha in the memory of her parents to a modern complex that can house 30 patients with provisions to construct another two floors, the hospice has come a long way.
But what has not changed is the care and the love that the patients are shown.
Terminally ill cancer patients are mostly in excruciating pain. The dreaded disease, in all its manifestations, is rising exponentially and in Goa, hospitals are not equipped to cater to terminally ill cancer patients.
For the first 25 years, the Sisters of the Cross, and now the Holy Sisters, at the hospice have managed to give patients some relief even as their average time there is three weeks.
The institution cares for advanced and terminally ill cancer patients and those cancer patients suffering from AIDS free of cost. It aims to offer this care to all who need it irrespective of community, caste or creed, with preference to the poor and the needs and to conduct research for palliation in advance cancer.
The hospice was started by Dr L J de Souza a cancer surgeon some 30 years ago. He was moved when he was called to see a cancer patient living in a hutment who was bedridden and after the examination she asked, “How long will it take for me to get well? So do your best. I want to be comfortable and active if possible.” That was when Dr de Souza realized that not everybody wanted euthanasia, but many would be happy if they were symptom-free and comfortable and decided to start the country’s first hospice for terminally ill cancer patients.
On Tuesday, the hospice will have a new wing to be inaugurated by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, who is also the patron trustee of Shanti Avedna Sadan.