We have received a follow up from an article posted in March 2020 on the development of the Palliative Care Center in Karapitiya. And here’re messages from the Head of the Palliative Care Unit, TH Karapitiya and the President of Sri Lanka Cancer Society Galle Branch
A message from the Head of Palliative Care Unit, TH Karapitiya
Consultant Oncological Surgeon Dr. Chrysantha Perera
“Palliative care has long remained a pressing need in Sri Lanka and is fast becoming a vital necessity that can no longer be overlooked in the Sri Lankan health care system. With the elderly population fast increasing due to rapid demographic transitions, Both the demand for and necessity of the service is also increasing on an almost daily basis.”
“Whilst this particular health care provisioning service is already at quite an advanced stage in many countries around the world, the Sri Lankan health care sector has not yet succeeded in providing adequate palliative care service to people suffering from incurable illnesses.”
“I have decided to take a lead role in this noble endeavor to provide palliative care services to patients suffering from incurable diseases and who are leading the last stages of their lives in abject misery. This, I believe, will not only help improve the quality of care for the patients but also assist their near and dear who would otherwise expend much energy, time and resources on caring for their incurably ill family members at great cost the themselves. I humbly invite you hereby to join hands with us in making this noble project a reality.”
A message from the President of Sri Lanka Cancer Society Galle Branch:
Venerable Thalangalle Vijitha Thero
Sri Lanka’s health service is in a high standard. However, there are other specific areas that need to be improved. One of them is “comfort care services.”
In many countries around the world, governments and voluntary organizations pay special attention and care to this palliative care service by building centers to provide comfort and relief to patients.
“Hospice care is the provision of maximum treatment for various diseases and the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of terminally ill patients by keeping them in a special center. It is difficult to provide care services to such patients in their homes according to the current social structure. Many people do not have the means to employ employees to provide nursing services. Moreover, when there is a terminally ill patient in a house, it is extremely difficult to carry out all the activities of that house properly. In addition, everyone is suffering.
“As a palliative measure for this, arrangements have been made to construct a well-equipped “comfort home” adjacent to the Galle Cancer Unit, with the dedication and advice of Oncology Surgeon Specialist Mr. Chrisantha Perera. This comfort care center is open to all the above-mentioned patients admitted to the hospital.”
“Therefore, we invite you all to join hands with us and support us in making these care services for the suffering and terminally ill patients a success.”
By Google Translate
