There is an end to cure, there is no end to care.
Palliative Medicine provides quality of life to people with serious health-related suffering associated with chronic or progressive or terminal illnesses like Cancer, Stroke, Muscular Dystrophy, Dementia, end stage Heart and Kidney Diseases etc. It provides prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and treatment of pain and other physical problems, besides addressing psychosocial and spiritual support needs.
The Sri Sathya Sai Palliative Care Center (SSSPCC) at Puttaparthi, Sri Sathya Sai District, Andhra Pradesh, was set up on 12th July, 2022 by the Alumni of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. SSSPCC was registered under the Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society(PRPCS), with all services provided free of charge. In October 2023, the Alumni established Swaasthyam Palliative Care and Cancer Foundation (SPCCF) at Puttaparthi, to take forward the work at SSSPCC and to provide Cancer Care services at Puttaparthi.
“Love All, Serve All” the universal message of service given by Sri Sathya Sai Baba serves as an inspiration for this center.
Out patient, In Patient and Homecare services
The current facility is manned by a trained team of Palliative Care specialists including Medical Officers, Staff Nurses, Physiotherapists, Volunteers and Support staff. This 10 bed center has a capacity to provide InPatient palliative care services to about 50 inpatients every month.
The center has 2 Vans which provide Homecare palliative care services to about 550 patients within a radius of about 50 kms from Puttaparthi. The Homecare program provides comprehensive care 24 hour / 7 days a week, to patients and families, addressing pain and symptom management, emotional, spiritual and social support, allowing patients the choice of receiving personalized care in their own home setting. The center also provides remote palliative care support through Telemedicine, which integrates the Homecare and InPatient services.
In April 2023, Devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba made a land gift to SPCCF at Puttaparthi, to set up a spacious and permanent facility which integrates Cancer Care services along with Palliative Care Services. The Bhumi Pooja for this new campus called Sai Sharan is planned for 26-Apr-2024. This new facility which will be close to the current facility is expected to be operational in the year 2025, coinciding with the Centenary Birth Celebrations of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
You can volunteer at the center in many ways. You can participate in some of the below activities.
Serve food to patients and their attendants during their Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner time. Some of the patients may need to be fed and you can help with this too. Food is prepared at the center. In case you are also interested in cooking, you can join the center team in the food preparation.
Helping patients move around without being confined to bed all the time is important to the overall wellbeing of the patient. Get trained and help in taking the patients for a walk or ride in a wheelchair at designated times.
You can get trained to give company and converse with Patients and their attendants who have come for Palliative Care.
The center has music players with digital content. You can help play the music of choice for patients. If you are a singer or play an instrument, we could also plan a live performance for the patients and their attendants.
You may call +91-9000183123 to plan your volunteer engagement at the Palliative Care Center.