LATEST NEWS

INDIA, Rishikesh, November 27th, 2011
November clinic 2011
The November 2011 cancer clinic of Ganga Prem Hospice in Rishikesh saw 110 patients who received oncological, gynaecological, general ailment and ayurvedic consultations, medicines, diagnostic test facilities, counseling and massage therapy.

The Ganga Prem Hospice gynaeoclogist Dr Rupali Dewan examined and advised the female patients, as well as conducted Pap smear screening tests, while general surgeon Dr Pallavi Purwar, a visiting doctor from Delhi, saw to patients with general ailments.

As a special screening camp service, under-privileged patients were given screening facilities free of charge with the support of diagnostic centres in Rishikesh and Dehardun. The tests, sponsored by Sanofi, a pharmaceutical company based in Mumbai, included ultrasounds and X-rays, as well as blood, urine and stool tests.

Volunteer Hasya, a massage therapist from the United States, offered to give patients foot massage for relief, while Jamuna, the Ganga Prem Hospice masseuse, was on duty as always.

Dr Rajiv Samant, a radiation oncologist from Ottawa, Canada, and a member of the Indo-American Cancer Association was present to observe the clinic. The majority of cancers seen were oral while other types were found to be breast, gall bladder, ovary, prostate, leukemia, rectum, chondrosarcoma and thyroid.

INDIA, New Tehri, November 26th, 2011
First ever cancer screening camp in the mountains
Ganga Prem Hospice took its cancer screening service to the town of New Tehri in the Garhwal mountains in the month of November 2011.

Supported by SEWA-THDC, the screening camp held on November 26th, 2011 had a twelve-member Ganga Prem Hospice team including three doctors, one nurse and one counselor reach the town of Bhagirathi Puram in the early morning after a three-hour trip from Rishikesh. Patients began arriving at the hospital venue as early as eight o'clock with the help of two vehicles hired by GPH to bring patients to the screening camp free of charge.

Ganga Prem Hospice medical director and surgical oncologist Dr AK Dewan gave each patient a lot of time, seeing seven cancer patients including three who were terminally ill. The oncologist also attended to general ailment patients. He was well supported by visiting general surgeon Dr Pallavi Purwar of Delhi who saw many patients whose condition of varicose veins or hypertension had been undiagnosed until now. Children with ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems were also brought for check-ups by their parents. Minor procedures were done for patients at the screening camp to help them get some immediate relief.

The Ganga Prem Hospice palliative care counselor took on the dual task of not only counseling patients but also managing the patients' queues along with the volunteers. Sarojini Murthy's experience in finding out quickly which patients needed what kind of attention helped the volunteers decide if some patients needed to see the doctors before the others.

Volunteers from the non-profit group H.E.R.D.S. from the nearby town of Chamba, Vinod Uniyal and Devendra Kothari, helped manage the patients waiting in line. Nurse Nirmala Rawat from the host hospital supported the gynaecologist with the examinations, and Mast Ram Melwal, also from the hospital, was quick to assist the oncologist and the general surgeon. The Ganga Prem Hospice team returned to Rishikesh on the same day after a gracious send off by the SEWA-THDC team.

INDIA, Rishikesh, October 30th, 2011
October clinic 2011
Female patients particularly benefited from the services of two gynaecologists and the extra provision of Pap smear tests at the October cancer clinic of Ganga Prem Hospice in Rishikesh.

Our senior oncologist, two gynaecologists, a general physician and one ayurvedacharya were kept busy seeing the 95 patients who came for consultations at the October clinic. A support team of 25 staff and volunteers assisted the doctors, patients and visitors at the clinic.

The 34 cancer patients at the clinic were given a lot of time by senior surgical oncologist Dr AK Dewan, as the gynaecologists and general physician assisted by attending to non cancer patients.

The Ganga Prem Hospice clinic is increasingly taking on the additional role of a screening camp as more and more women are coming for screening for gynaecological cancers. Dr Rupali Dewan and Rishikesh based gynaecologist Dr Rajesh Saxena examined patients, answered their questions and conducted free of charge Pap smear tests. The Hospice has tied up with diagnostic centres for free or discounted diagnostic tests to ensure that patients are not burdened economically and that preventive screening is taken to its conclusion.

Dr Rajiv Saxena, the Hospice general physician, just back from a six-week training course in palliative care, saw patients with non cancer ailments. He was ably supported by ayurvedacharya Dr JP Rathi. A group of Thai massage practitioners also provided their services free of charge to the terminally ill cancer patients.

Volunteer support from within Rishikesh has kept the clinic operations running smoothly despite a much increased workload. Local volunteer at the registration desk put patients at ease by speaking with them in their local dialect. Volunteer duties included helping patients into and out of wheelchairs, taking them to the toilet, serving them water, tea and fruit juices, calling them in to see the doctors, maintaining prescription records, etc.

The October 2011 cancer clinic also saw new supplies of medicines, especially nutritional supplements, donated by various pharmaceutical companies. The Rajasthani Mishthaan Bhandaar and the Annapoorna Rasoi in Rishikesh continue to provide refreshments for the patients and the Hospice team.