A Hospice centre which helps patients to spend their last days of life with dignity and under good care is coming up at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre (MMHRC) along with the support of Lions Clubs International.
While MMHRC has contributed Rs.60 lakh as matching grant, the Lions Clubs International has donated Rs.40 laks for construction of the centre.
MMHRC and Lions Clubs International
Sid L.Scruggs III, Immediate Past International President of Lions Clubs International and also Chairman of Lions Clubs International Foundation, was invited for the foundation stone laying ceremony held here on April 5.
“Hospice care enables patients to spend their last days with dignity and have a good quality of life.
Emotional support will be provided for the patients and their family members.
The centre will serve who requires palliative care regardless of age, religion or financial status,” a press release from the hospital has said.
Hospice care is most appropriate when a patient no longer benefits from curative treatment and life expectancy is less than 12 months.
These patients in need of care may suffer from any type of limiting illness, including end stage cancer or heart disease, renal failure, AIDS and Alzheimer's Disease among other illnesses.
Under home care, the centre provides nursing and medical care and grief counselling for patients and families.
During day care, the patients will do light exercises, physiotherapy, singing and music therapy, art and craft sessions and outings to places of interest.
Also, psychological and bereavement support service will be provided.
N. Sethuraman, Founder-Chairman, MMHRC, has said that the centre will start functioning in three or four months. U. K. Ananthapadmanabhan, hospital's Chief Executive Officer and past Lions International Directors G. Ramaswamy and M. Nagarajan were also invited for the function held in the hospital premises.
P. S. Nandakumar, Lions District Governor 324-B3 and S. Arun Jayaseelan, president, Lions Club of Madurai Vaigai, were among those who took part.
