[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="HPPTC extends support to people navigating life's greatest challenge" ids="90988,90985,90982,90984,90986,90987,90983"] JEDDAH — The Hyderabad Pain and Palliative Care Trust (HPPCT), a non-profit, community-based health care organization, has recently launched a pilot program in collaboration with PRPCS (Pain Relieve Palliative Care Society) under the umbrella of Mehdi Nawaz Jung (MNJ) Niloufer Hospital, Hyderabad, to provide access to comprehensive home-based palliative care to people suffering from terminal and chronic illnesses in the Hyderabad city and other parts of the state of Telangana. As part of the pilot project, which was launched on Aug. 19, HPPCT Home Care Team (Doctors, Nurses and volunteers) have so far visited dozens of patients across the length and breadth of the city, providing home care services, imparting training and explaining to family members ways to deal with the patients and their related diseases. The HPPCT is a community initiative with non-resident Indian well wishers from the city taking the lead in this project. The free of cost services are being provided to all kinds of cancer patients and those who are paralyzed, bedridden and suffering from chronic ailments. On an average five-to six patients are being attended to daily. Ever since the pilot project was launched, there have been five-to-six cancer-related deaths among the patients, who are being taken care of as part of the program. Formed by a group of selfless volunteers, the HPPCT formally set up its office at Mehdipatnam in the city of Hyderabad last month. HPPCT is registered under the laws of Telangana government and striving to build a better world by exploring new ways to help those suffering from terminal and non-curable diseases, like cancer, AIDS, acute kidney problem, paralysis, spinal injury, geriatric, etc. The trust aims to support quality of life, empowered decision making, and self determination for people navigating life's greatest challenge. The trust was formally inaugurated by Home Minister of Telangana Naini Narahima Reddy at Federation of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Hyderabad on Sept. 10. The function was also attended by Khaled A. H. Makki, second secretary of Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. During the inauguration ceremony, Reddy, who was the chief guest at the event, lauded the initiative for setting up the trust. "It's a noble cause and is very much needed in our society. There are many patients who lose hope after being refused treatment by doctors and forced to live in excruciatingly painful situations waiting for their death," observed Reddy. The home minister stated that Hyderabad is the hub of state-of-art medical facilities and the city has three government hospitals for the treatment of cancer and fourth one is this trust — the HPPCT — which is providing free of charge services. He also said that those who are putting in their efforts and money in this noble cause are true servants of the Almighty. He cited many examples where early detection and diagnosis helped cure the deadly cancer disease. Reddy assured that the state government will extend all the possible support to the HPPCT in providing medical care and other services to the patients. Special Guest of the event Khalid Al-Makki congratulated the team for setting up the trust. He said helping the poor and needy is great thing and this service is noble and will be truly rewarded by Allah in life Hereafter. Mirza Qudrath Nawaz Baig, general secretary of the HPPCT, was master of the ceremony, who welcomed the attendees. The event commenced with recitation of the verses from the Holy Qur'an with heart touching voice by Hafiz Ahsan Ali Ehtesham followed by National Anthem Mir Mahmood Ali , chairman of the trust, outlined the proposed activities of the HPPCT and challenges ahead. On this occasion S. A. Huda, director general of police, Andhra Pradesh, stressed the importance of palliative care services to those suffering from terminally ill diseases and congratulated the HPPCT team on their initiative. Dr. Gayatri delivered in a speech precautionary steps to be taken to avoid advancement of disease into further stages and treatments and support levels provided by PRPCS (MNJ) to the patients, stressing the need for the end of life care patients. Jaber Patel also spoke on this occasion and lauded the efforts of the volunteers and particularly those who live outside the country. He had words of encouragement for the team members, especially Mir Mahmood Ali and Mirza Qudrath Nawaz Baig. Mir Mahmood Ali presented memento to the guest. Scientist Mirza Zaheer Baig from King Fahd University Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, and executive member of the HPPCT gave a power-point presentation about palliative care services. Mirza Qudrath conveyed the message of Principal Secretary for Health and Medical Rajeshwar Tiwari of Telangana, which intimated the state has taken initiative to provide in every government hospital 5 beds reserved for palliative care. Abdul Hakeem proposed the vote of thanks.
