C. V. Raman hospital ties up with NGO to provide geriatric and palliative care closer to home in Bengaluru

The goal of palliative care is to prevent and relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for those battling terminal illnesses.

The State-run C. V. Raman General Hospital in Bengaluru has tied up with One Billion Lives Foundation (OBLF), an NGO, to provide geriatric and palliative care services for needy patients closer to their homes. Initially, the services will be provided in around 12 slums of Hoysalanagar (ward 80) where the hospital is located.

Apart from in-patient care, the collaboration will enable provision of primary day care through a network of community clinics that are being established in schools and other such centres within slums for outpatient consultation and screening at the community level. The goal of palliative care is to prevent and relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for those battling terminal illnesses.

As part of the collaboration, a 12-bed ward, including six beds for female patients, has been set aside in the hospital. While the outpatient and referral services have started at the hospital, the in-patient unit and a vehicle for home care — procured through CSR funds — will soon be handed over by the hospital to the NGO.

Hospital medical superintendent K. S. Rajesh told The Hindu that population-based screening and line listing of patients in Hoysalanagar slums is set to begin in a few days. 

“We will focus the initial screening efforts in the 12 slums in this ward. The localities of Jairaj Nagar, Murphy Town, Lakshmipuram, Binnamangala, Harijan Seva Samaj (home to about 10,000 population) have been identified for initial intervention. We have also identified two places to set up the community clinics in these slums. Home care will be provided to those who are not in a position to come to the community clinics,” the doctor explained.

Palliative care physician Gopukrishnan Pillai, who is the Programme Director from OBLF, said a team comprising clinical, public health and management experts is being set up to run the project in Bengaluru. 

“We are also working closely with the hospital authorities to obtain Recognised Medical Institution (RMI) status for the Palliative Care department. This will ensure adequate and uninterrupted availability of essential narcotic drugs. We are hoping to formally launch the full-fledged department and home care by mid-July,” Dr. Pillai said.