INDIA

Regional Cancer Centre Palliative Care Team
- Care Plus

Pat has been in contact with this charitable team for some years and has arranged study days for them. She also instigated the purchase of 2 ambulances to enable the team to reach the homes of extremely poor cancer patients who were too sick or could not afford to attend the main hospital.

We have also helped with supplying medicines for diabetics and leprosy patients and supported the education of children of cancer patients who have died. Pat also gained valuable experience in the Dermatology wards of a nearby hospital when she was able to work with a doctor there, learning a lot about leprosy and other skin conditions common in the area.

After 5 years the original ambulance was almost unusable, so The Vidiyal Trust has replaced it and has also bought a second vehicle (inconjunction with Ewell Rotary Club UK and Conde St.Amand Rotary Club France) to enable even more patients to be seen at home.

 

In her August 2007 report Pat says "We also continue our work with the Regional Cancer Centre in Trivandrum. Our link is with the palliative care team, who provide home care (and much more) for destitute cancer sufferers who cannot reach the hospital for treatment/pain relief.

The ambulances donated by The Vidiyal Trust and the
Rotary Clubs of Ewell, UK and Conde St. Amand, France

We pay the salary for the drivers and one nurse and fuel costs. None of these services are state funded. I visited one home on the ambulance, where treatment was given to a man in his late 40s, who had advanced oral cancer. He needs tube feeding three times a week. He lay on the floor of a dark, thatched shack, in oppressive heat, cared for by his elderly mother. There are an estimated 2,700 known to the palliative care team who are too ill to get to hospital and probably could not afford the bus fare if they could travel. With 2 ambulances they can reach about 100 patients each week. This is incredible work, relieving suffering at its most extreme; we plan to continue our work with them. In January we are leading a 2 day study seminar (Teamwork in Palliative Care), using the extensive experience of one of our sponsors."

UPDATE

Read about the study seminar held at the Regional Cancer Centre January 2008

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