KTR visits Sparsh Hospice, donates 5 lakh

As part of the celebrations for ‘World Hospice and Palliative Care Day’, MA&UD Minister KT Rama Rao visisted Sparsh Hospice centre where he donated Rs 5 lakh to the organisation.

The minister gave the cheque in the name of Rotary Club of Banjara Hills Charitable Trust and handed it over to Dr Pranathi Reddy, president of Rotary Club of Banajara Hills.

Responding to Sparsh Hospice’s request to grant one acre land on lease for constructing a 100-bed hospital, KTR said their request will be looked into.

He assured them that the proposal for the land will be taken for cabinet approval in the next meeting. “By next Dussehra, you will be in new premises,” he said.

“Death is inevitable. But, it has to be dignified. Any service rendered to terminally-ill patients is laudable,” said KTR who was accompanied by Mayor Bonthu Rammohan.

Earlier, Rajeshwar Tiwari, Principal Secretary, said, “India lacks in Hospice and Palliative Care. Sparsh Hospice is the only centre in the State providing this facility and the government was keen on providing palliative care through government hospitals.”

“The Government has already issued guidelines to reserve five per cent of beds in Government Hospitals for Palliative Care,” he added.

The theme for this year was “Living and dying in pain: It doesn't have to happen”. “It was estimated that 10 lakh patients are diagnosed with cancer each year in India and 3.5 lakh die annually. Only a 0.5 per cent get benefit from palliative care and pain relief,” said Dr Pranathi Reddy.

She appealed to philanthropists to come forward and donate to run Sparsh Hospice. Such donations can be made in favour of “Rotary Club of Banjara Hills Charitable Trust” or pay online www.sparshhospice.org and all donations to Sparsh Hospice are exempted from Income Tax.