With cancer emerging as a major health care challenge, governments at all levels are being called upon to provide succour to families blighted by the dreaded disease.
‘Kanivu,’ a palliative care project of the Kilimanoor grama panchayat, aims at providing care and support to the cancer-afflicted and their families.
The project, now in its fifth year, has 477 registrations and has won for the panchayat the State government’s laurels for being the best in providing palliative care.
The panchayat has set aside Rs.13 lakh in its 2015-16 Budget for palliative care and to provide emotional support to the affected persons and their families.
The amount is being used to provide medical care, food, clothes, and transportation to the afflicted regardless of whether they belong to Above the Poverty Line (APL) or Below the Poverty Line (BPL) families, said K. Jagadeesh Chandran Unnithan, chairman of the development standing committee.
Besides its own funds, the panchayat has also been securing financial support from outside. “We have been able to make this project a success of the voluntary service rendered by many and the commitment shown by those who are involved in its running. Our effort has been to reach the grassroots,” K.G. Prince, panchayat president, said.
K. Sasi and Sudheer Jacob, doctors at the Government Primary Health Centre, Kilimanoor, were deeply involved in implementation of the project and played a big role in making it a success, he added.
The panchayat is currently engaged in the construction of a fully air-conditioned palliative care ward under Kanivu at the health centre.
Facilities
The ward is in the final stage of construction and will have facilities such as music therapy and physiotherapy.
“This is our dream project aimed at relieving the pain and suffering of those suffering from cancer,” Mr. Prince said.
Kilimanoor grama panchayat has set aside Rs.13 lakh for its palliative care project ‘Kanivu.’
