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CPAA
Volunteers at Mumbai Hospitals At
Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre CPAA Volunteers at Mumbai Hospitals As a non-governmental organisation working towards the "Total Management of Cancer," CPAA’s work starts where that of the medical profession ends. Recognising the importance of the role played by volunteers, a number of hospitals in Mumbai have invited us to join hands with them in helping cancer patients undergoing treatment at their centres. Given below is a summary of some of the activities of CPAA at these hospitals.
CPAA now has the following synergies with Tata Memorial, Cama & Albless, Nair and Wadia Hospitals. While every month a report is given of the activities of these units, this month we focus on the benefits to patients. There are now four forms of interaction between CPAA and Tata Memorial Hospital. The first was the "Can I Help You?" desk near the registration counter. This was started in 1997 when CPAA representatives started assisting patients with registration procedures, filling in forms, finding their way around. The procedures are probably no more complex at this hospital than those at any hospital of this size, but there is added the fear of a semi-confirmed diagnosis of cancer. Patients from out of town even have trouble understanding the language. Jennifer Quadros helps in filling forms, explaining procedures, directing to the correct rooms and locating doctors weekdays from 9.30-12. In 1998, CPAA was assigned a permanent room in the Golden Jubilee Block. Halima Aurangabadkar has filled a sorely needed slot in providing assistance to the financially weak patients in the General OPD. She provides clothes, food supplements, mineral water, toys and medicines donated by generous friends of CPAA to needy patients. Her room is constantly filled with children who recognise a kindred spirit and parents who need a shoulder to cry on, every day from 9.30-5.30. Last year, TMH greatly expanded their Palliative Care unit facilities under the leadership of Dr. M.A. Muckaden. It is extremely difficult to tell a patient that the hospital has no further treatment to offer. Often the patient and family members do not understand what the doctor is saying or they go into denial. Some patients break down and become difficult to console or reason with. In such cases it is important to provide the counselor and patient privacy to afford the patient an opportunity to vent their feelings and come to terms with the prognosis. Mrinal Marathe, along with the TMH Palliative Care unit, plays this part, helping the patient to accept and preparing them for the future. The aim is to address the reality in a holistic manner- reaching out to the mind and soul as well as the body. The clinic is held every Thursday and Friday between 2-5. In July, Mr. S.H. Jafri, PRO, invited several voluntary organisations to come forward and cooperate in various activities. Shubha Maudgal attends the Radiation Therapy OPD Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10-2. Patients are told about what to expect from radiation treatment, diet restrictions, importance of drinking ample quantities of water, care of the radiated area, side effects, follow up, exercises to be followed. Vinaya Chacko has been going to Wadia Hospital’s Hematology department every Tuesday from 10-12 since 1996. The group was initiated by Drs. Bharat Agarwal and Zeenat Curimbhoy. The problems of administering chemotherapy in a pediatric ward are different from the adult situation. Children who must come for treatment for prolonged periods of time have to be cajoled and their minds diverted. Parents are also educated about the importance of total compliance and urged to complete treatment in spite of the pain and trauma their children go through during chemotherapy which may often appear to be worse than the disease. Lectures are given about diet and hygiene. Iva Athavia visits Cama & Albless Hospital for Women every Friday between 10-2. This interaction was started at the behest of Dr. Meher Bhansali. Iva visits patients in the wards as well as the Radiation therapy department. Similarly, she attends the Nair Hospital Radiation OPD every Wednesday between 10-1. Here Dr. S. Robin has provided a room where patients can be counseled in privacy. Besides interaction in hospitals, CPAA also runs a playgroup for children every Saturday between 4-6 at the Ernest Borges Home in Bandra, which is linked to Tata Memorial Hospital. Alka Kapadia runs the playgroup, organising games, painting sessions, story telling and play acting which present an outlet for the children’s pent up feelings. In August, the children celebrated Rakhi at the Home, went to the Byculla zoo and also visited several Ganpati pandals. A number of volunteers from colleges help to create an informal atmosphere where the children feel free to open out and relieve the monotony of the children’s routines. Ambika and Neel Srinivas, students from the US were on hand for Rakhi. CPAA wishes to thank Mrs. Neerja Birla who sponsors this playgroup. This activity would not have been possible without her constant interest and support. Tulsi (Smriti Malhotra-Irani) Visits CPAA July 3rd was the first anniversary of the highly successful TV quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). It was also the first anniversary of the equally successful soap opera, "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" which has made the protagonists, Tulsi (Smriti Malhotra-Irani) and Mihir (Amar Upadhyay) household names. To mark the common milestone, KBC had Tulsi and Mihir as their participants that night. Both Tulsi and Mihir proved to be eminently successful, winning Rs.25 lakh for the charities of their choice. CPAA was thrilled to be chosen as Tulsi's favoured charity, receiving Rs. 12.5 lakh as a donation. Smriti made a special trip to CPAA's Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre to hand over the cheque. Many thanks to the team at Star India Limited and Kaun Banega Crorepati for their support and cooperation. Prevention and Early Detection 33 camps and OPDs were held during the month of July and 34 in August. Out of the 19 camps held in July, 8 were organised at BARC, Deonar; 3 at ONGC, Uran and 2 each for Inner Wheel Club of Bombay, North; Indian Women Scientists Association; St. Paul Church and the Anjuman-e-Null Bazar Chhabdi Bazar Niyaze. Out of the 23 camps held in August, 4 each were organised at Aga Khan Jamatkhana, Mazgaon and German Remedies, 2 each at BARC, Tarapur; BARC, Deonar; BEST, Colaba; Rotary Club of Deonar; Suvarna Charitable Trust; Janseva Ganeshotsav Mandal and the Indian Airlines Staff Colony at Kalina.
A total of 857 people, 166 males and 691 females were screened in the camps and clinics. 234 people were advised follow up. 14 OPDs and clinics were held during the month of July. 93 males and 163 females were screened. 81 people were advised follow up. A total of 964 people, 400 males and 564 females were screened in the camps and clinics. 263 people were advised follow up. 11 OPDs and clinics were held during the month of August. 49 males and 100 females were screened. 37 people were advised follow up. Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre The Smt. Lila Kishanchand Shahani Clinical Diagnostic Centre screened 282 persons during July. 662 tests were performed, out of which 533 were pathology tests. 30 sonography, 47 x-ray and 52 mammography investigations were carried out. During August 192 persons were screened. 467 tests were performed, out of which 386 were pathology tests. 16 sonography, 52 x-ray and 13 mammography investigations were carried out. 58 new policies were registered in July, bringing the total to 6913. 88 people were examined, of whom 29 had come for the first check-up and 59 for renewal check up.
25 new policies were registered in August, bringing the total to 6938. 61 people were examined, of whom 21 had come for the first check-up and 59 for renewal check up.
At Smt. Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre A total of 700 patients during July and 655 during August, were aided, counseled and given guidance at our locations in Mumbai-Srimati Panadevi Dalmia Cancer Management Centre, at Nair Radiation Centre, Cama & Albless, Wadia and Tata Memorial Hospitals and the Palliative Care Unit at TMH. 316 patients availed of ambulance facilities, including 38 patients who availed of the stretcher service for long distance. 400 persons were given clothes, 170 packets of biscuits and 150 boxes of Complan were distributed. 22 home and institutional visits were made. 7 of our patients expired during the two months. Donations amounting to Rs. 31,001 were collected in July and Rs. 68,900 in August. Rs. 2,84,296 and Rs. 2,71,892 were disbursed in July and August respectively. 440 patients were aided, guided and counseled by CPAA’s Halima Aurangabadkar at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Golden Jubilee Block Room No. 189 during July and August. 550 packets of biscuits were distributed. 120 patients were given clothes, 12 kgs of sweets were distributed. 32 referred cases were helped. 54 ward visits and 13 home visits were made. 19 patients were given medicines and toys were distributed to 165 children. 260 patients were given Complan and Horlicks. 298 patients utilized the ambulance facility including 23 for long distance travel. Halima is also working tirelessly with the Brain Tumour Foundation, which has been started at Tata Memorial Hospital to help patients with brain tumours. During August she accompanied 16 children for a short cruise on the Canadian ship, Winnipeg, which had been arranged jointly by the Canadian High Commision and this foundation. "Can I Help You?" CPAA’s Desk at Tata Memorial Hospital’s Private OPD Jennifer Quadros helped 694 patients during July and 631 patients during August, providing literature on various kinds of cancers to 379 patients and their family members, helping 241 in filling up registration and other forms and answering questions about the hospital for 508. 29 ward visits were made. During July Jennie met Lunk Bahadur, who hails from Nepal. Lunk Bahadur is a case of esophagal cancer. The patient is so poor that he and his wife would share the food given to him during his stay at the hospital. He had been prescribed medicines worth Rs. 8080, which was beyond his means. Jennie approached Father Edward, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church who sanctioned the payment. CPAA has also registered him for medical aid. Similarly, during August Jennie proved to be a guardian angel to Utso Ray Dakua, a 14-year-old boy studying in the 10th standard. Utso is suffering from Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. His father, Mr. Ranjeet Kumar Dakua, who earns Rs. 6000 per month, has already spent Rs. 4.5 lakhs since April when the condition was diagnosed. He had been advised to take 10 cycles of chemotherapy, each vial costing Rs. 6600. Utso, a good student and sportsperson, is very popular with both his school friends and teachers who raised funds for his treatment. He has now been registered with CPAA who provided him with the balance funds.
At Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children 19 new patients were registered during the months of July and August. 674 patients attended follow up of whom 174 patients are undergoing chemotherapy. 75 patients were counseled and given guidance and 17 patients were visited in their wards. 15 group meetings regarding cleanliness and diet were organised and 80 children were given sweets, toys, biscuits and Complan. Palliative Care Unit at Tata Memorial Hospital 37 patients, 19 males and 18 females were counseled during the months of July and August. There were 18 cases of Head and Neck cancers, 3 cases of cancer of the abdomen, 8 cases of cervical cancer, 2 cases of lung cancer, 1 case of breast cancer and 5 other cases of cancer. Counseling at Cama & Albless Hospital Cancer Ward 32 patients were counseled and given guidance during July and 25 during August. Among these are 13 new patients. 16 patients were registered with CPAA. 37 ward visits were made. 5 terminally ill patient were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. Rs. 9058 and Rs. 8417 were provided towards medicines during July and August respectively. 22 patients were given guidance regarding alternative medicine. 11 patients availed of the ambulance service. 40 people were given guidance regarding diet. 60 persons were given diet supplements. Nair Hospital (Radiation Department) 23 patients were counseled and given guidance at CPAA’s Counseling Cell at Nair Hospital Radiation Department during July and 16 patients during August out of which 11 were new patients. 11 ward visits were made. 3 terminally ill patients were referred to Shanti Avedana Ashram. 6 patients were provided with breast prosthesis. 22 patients were given information about alternative forms of medicines, 32 were advised about diet. Rs. 6,000 was donated towards radiation treatment during July and Rs. 4,500 during August. Rs. 15,633 and Rs. 16,261 were donated towards medicines during the two months. 36 boxes of Complan and 3 packets of sweets were distributed. 40 sets of clothes were given. 8 patients were provided with CPAA’s ambulance service. The Rehabilitation Centre adopted one new patients during July. A total of 68 patients were helped. 6 cases of mastectomy were attended and breast prostheses were provided. 182 patients were given rations worth Rs. 24,353. Rs. 15,862 was spent on teachers’ salaries, for patient education and vocational training. Rs. 1.25 lakhs were spent on patients’ wages and Rs. 28,853 was spent on welfare activities, conveyance and diet supplements. CPAA’s website continues to provide new, entertaining food for thought for visitors to the site. After the provision for chat with doctors, survivors and CPAA representatives, the online payment gateway that allows donations using credit cards, the latest addition is a downloadable form of an anti-tobacco ad film made by Ogilvy & Mather’s Piyush Pandey. The film won the Grand Prize (the best amongst any Category) at the Media Asian Awards 2000, Hong Kong. It also won a Gold at the same Awards in its own Category. The film won Silver at the Asia-Pacific Ad Fest and Abby Awards 2000 in Bombay. This anti-tobacco film which shows an elderly man getting up in a crowded bus to make place for a young smoker has been immensely popular especially among younger adults when shown on MTV. The film can be downloaded in two forms-a higher quality version that requires 2MB and a lower quality 0.7MB version. The film can be stored to disk for repeated viewing. (9/1/1924-25/7/2001) Cancer Patients Aid Association regrets to announce the death of Mr. Vishnupant B. Marathe, Trustee for the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust. In his passing away CPAA has lost an immensely valued friend. Mr. Marathe retired as Licence Inspector of BMC, after which he began his efforts in the field of Social Service. He has received a great deal of recognition for his work including the Hegdewar Puraskar, the Samajik Samarasata Award and a trophy from Home Minister L.K. Advani in tribute to 50 years of selfless service. He was trustee for the Siddhivinayak Temple Trust for the last three years. During his tenure he made many improvements to the systems, such as introducing passes to facilitate entry of the aged and handicapped, involving stall owners outside the temple to regularize their trade and investigating the activities of charities that benefited from the trust funds. It was through his efforts in this regard that CPAA first met Mr. Marathe. He was extremely impressed with the work done by CPAA and supported us through generous donations. CPAA will miss his presence and guiding force. We pray that God will grant his family the strength to face this grievous loss.
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It
is a well-known fact that there is a great deal more to the treatment
of cancer besides the tumour. A cancer patient and his family must face
immense social, emotional, psychological and financial burdens. In some
cases, seemingly trivial problems may take such gigantic proportions that
they impede the patient from taking proper treatment. More and more hospitals
recognise this fact and have started taking steps to introduce facilities
addressing these troubles. Thus many hospitals today have full-fledged
Social Work divisions, Palliative Care units, Counseling cells and Home
Care departments with the aim of identifying and solving problems so that
the patient is best able to complete treatment. A volunteer has a special
role to play in this process in that they are often the ones who can interact
with the patient layman to layman. While the patients may be inhibited
in their interaction with the doctors, a properly trained and experienced
volunteer is more easily approachable. The patient does not feel he is
"wasting" their time.