Palliative care is a holistic approach to care, which looks at all aspects of health - medical, psychosocial and spiritual. It focuses on the individual and the family, rather than the disease. We support patients that are permanently bedridden (as a result of chronic disease or old age) or have incurable cancer. The team comprises of both paid staff and volunteers who specialize in social work, medicine and counseling. Our activities to date have included:
• Providing doorstep medical services through a team of dedicated medical and social work professionals
• Linking patients to various government social entitlements
• Providing food assistance for least fortunate families
• Counselling patients and families to assist them in accepting the patient’s diagnosis and prognosis
Where do we operate? Currently we are focusing on Mysore taluk and urban Mysore. Yearly 4 million people in India require palliative care, yet only 1% has access. In Karnataka state alone there are estimated to be 20,000 incapacitated patients that need support. We have almost 100 registered bedridden patients; however, we estimate that there are at least 500 in Mysore taluk and urban Mysore. Community Support
We are an unfunded programme that is completely reliant on community contributions both in cash and kind. We welcome :
• Volunteers from all backgrounds - There are opportunities to become involved in areassuch as fundraising, programme planning as well as field visits (e.g. driving, counseling, assisting nurse, doctor)
• Programme-related donations – used medical equipment,unused medicines, food, use of vehicle etc.
• Financial contributions - we are offering institutions and businesses (hotels, restaurants, cafes etc.) the chance to become involved by issuing palliative care contribution boxes. These will be managed by our team. Alternatively, financial donations can be made directly to Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (Ac. No 10562326643)
Note : All donations including money collected from contribution boxes will be issued receipts.
