Lakshmi Pain and Palliative care Trust
This trust has
started a Palliative care centre / hospice in Kilpauk, Chennai that has grown out of
erstwhile Nursing home called Sundaravadhnam Nursing Home which was located in Poondhamalli high Road.
They provide out-patient and In-patient care; They also offer to visit patient in his house. Taking care of Lymphoedema (
swelling of lymph glands) is their specialty.
Taking care of
people suffering from intense chronic pain, not necessarily terminally ill
cancer patients only but children and
others as well, is routine here. They have special permission to buy morphine in
bulk, store and dispense it to patients. Their consultations including medicines
is free to poor people. They offer training programs in palliative care to
nurses and doctors. Creating awareness – through lectures, Radio talks,
articles in news papers etc) among the public about the palliative care services and its availability is another area
where they are concentrating. According
to one survey less than 1% of terminally ill patients get any palliative care.
There are only four hospices in Chennai.
The website (www.lakshmitrust.org) has an FAQ that dispels certain myths. One
popular myth, even among doctors, is that Morphine Tablets are habit forming
and patients become addicted. Far from true: Morphine, in injection form, used
by normal persons can become addictive, informs their website.
If you are concerned
with anyone suffering from chronic pain you may refer them here or donate for
this cause if you are touched / inclined.
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