Mumbai civic body, Sukoon Nilaya to open 7 free palliative care centres

On World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, Mumbai's civic body and the Sukoon Nilaya Foundation announced plans to establish seven free palliative care and adult daycare centers across the city. Palliative care focuses on enhancing the quality of life for individuals with serious medical conditions by providing comprehensive support across physical, psychological, spiritual, and social aspects.

Dr Eric Borges, chairman of the King George V Memorial Trust, founded Sukoon Nilaya in 2021, offering free-of-cost holistic care to non-cancer patients at his center in Mahalaxmi.

Initially accommodating 20,000 people, the Foundation has grown to provide care for over 35 patients and is planning to expand its capacity to 75 beds. A new 20,000 sq ft facility is under construction, scheduled to open by April 2027, thanks to philanthropic support from various organizations and individuals. In addition to the palliative care centers, the Trust launched a free adult daycare center, called The Sanctuary, in 2023, to combat isolation and loneliness among senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide emphasized the increasing need for palliative care as India's population ages, foreseeing a potential rise in the fraction of the population requiring such care to 20-25%. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma was originally scheduled to attend the event but had to cancel due to administrative commitments, sending a video message instead.

Sukoon Nilaya treats patients with chronic and life-limiting conditions, including neurological, lung, kidney, and liver diseases, as well as those affected by accidents. Care includes pain management, occupational and physiotherapy for improved motor skills, speech therapy for communication and swallowing assistance, and caregiver training and empowerment.

Palliative care extends to patients' homes through caregiver support, outpatient check-ups, and remote consultations. Dr Borges highlighted the Trust's seven-acre land in Mahalaxmi, where many more beds could be accommodated, but financial constraints persist.