In a first, a wellness centre will offer free services to cancer patients who come to the Cancer Hospital at Civil Hospital Asarwa. Sanjeevani Wellness Centre, which was inaugurated by D Thara, Managing Director of GIDC will offer, yoga, psychotherapy, counselling,nutritional advice and other rehabiliation services for cancer patients.
"The services at the centre is free for the cancer patients who have completed their treatment and are on the way to recovery as well as cancer survivors. We will also be offering art and dance therapy to help improve their overall feeling of wellness," said Disha Tripathi, state program manager of Sanjeevani Life Beyond Cancer, the NGO that is behind the wellness centre.
At present run from a rented accomodation, the centre will offer 1 hour of free services for a batch of 20 to 25 patients offering 36 sessions to the patients. "Cancer patients and their relatives not only need counselling but also it is important to keep them engaged. Many patients despite recovery may feel depressed and the centre will offer free services to anyone. But as of now we are looking at cancer patients from civil," said Tripathi.
Interestingly, the NGO, the brain child of Ruby Ahluwalia, an IAS officer and cancer survivor herself has also been offering certificate in oncocare course at the Gujarat Cancer Research Institute (GCRI).
The course again is offered free of cost to relatives of cancer patients and it also helps them stand on their own feet economically. "The course has been designed by Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS) and offers 120 theory session sand 246 practical sessions. We also provide placements to the students after the four month course. The course if free but a refundable deposit of Rs 3000 is taken to ensure that only those who are serious about onco care take part in the programme," said Tripathi.
UNIQUE IDEA
- Services at the centre is free for cancer patients who have completed their treatment and are on the way to recovery as well as cancer survivors.
- Many patients may feel depressed and the centre will offer free services to anyone.
