The city-based Vels group of institutions has started a first-of-its kind palliative care hospital for cancer patients.
The 150-bed hospital in the university’s Thalambur campus would provide quality and compassionate care for patients free of cost.
The chairman of the Vels group, Ishari K. Ganesh, said that he started the hospital in remembrance of his late father and former legislator Isari Velan.
“I want to help all those cancer patients who are facing death in the near future, make them forget their pain and help them have a peaceful death,” he said.
“We have invested Rs 9 crore to start this hospital. Several people do not take care of their parents who count their last days as they suffer from cancer. Hence with an aim of helping them I embarked on the concept of palliative care,” he said.
Palliative care would improve the quality of patients’ life and help their families who face problems associated with life-threatening illness, said Dr G. Elango, who heads the hospital with a team of experts in the field.
Several countries such as USA had dedicated hospitals to provide palliative care but in India the concept had not picked up, he said.
“This 40,000 square feet hospital will also cater for the needs of those who can afford treatment as we have separate wards for those who cannot afford also. We have a meditation hall, indoor games and parks for elders to have peaceful life,” he said.