Shantha Sevana Hospice A beacon of hope for cancer patients seeking comfort

Established in 1996, the Shantha Sevana Hospice is the first Palliative Care Unit in Sri Lanka

Medical needs of patients admitted to the Hospice are attended to, with special emphasis on pain alleviation and symptom control, wound care, skin care, colostomy management and urinary catheter care. 

The Hospice staff includes an administrator, qualified nurses, a sister- in- charge, hospice aides and kitchen staff. A visiting doctor, who makes a visit once a week, provides medical care.

Established in 1996, the Shantha Sevana Hospice is the first Palliative Care Unit in Sri Lanka. It is situated adjacent to Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama in a building generously donated by a well-wisher.  The hospice is maintained by the Sri Lanka Cancer Society (SLCS) and is a registered palliative care unit as well as a founding member of the Hospice Sri Lanka Alliance. It is managed by a Sub-Committee with a Chairman and six (6) Committee members. It is a rest home offering free palliative care to terminally ill cancer patients.  The most common reasons for admission are pain management, the inability of families to care for terminally ill patients at home and also the financial burden. The peaceful environment coupled with professional care, pain alleviation amidst love, compassion and emotional support of dedicated care givers, the Hospice ensures that the patients’ emotional, spiritual and physical needs are met, allowing them to experience comfort and dignity during the final phase of their lives.  Shantha Sevana encourages interaction between the patients and their families.  

Facilities

Shantha Sevana has both male and female wards with 16 beds each and two private air-conditioned rooms. Meals (cooked in house) and served are wholesome and nutritious. All services and facilities provided are entirely free of charge. An area for religious observances is provided

Entertainment

Patients are entertained by volunteer musicians at regular intervals. Patients and the staff join in the fun when such sessions are held. On occasion, pilgrimages have been done where patients and staff visit places of worship; all arrangements being made by the Sri Lanka Army free of charge.

Admission

Oncologists at Apeksha Hospital Maharagama refer terminally-ill cancer patients to Shantha Sevana following completion of a referral form. Currently plans are underway for admission via the Palliative Care Unit of Apeksha hospital

Medical treatment

Medical needs of patients admitted to the Hospice are attended to, with special emphasis on pain alleviation and symptom control, wound care, skin care, colostomy management and urinary catheter care.  In an emergency the patient is transferred to Apeksha hospital. In the event of a death, the body is sent to the mortuary at Apeksha Hospital. All sterilization of instruments and linen, gauze are carried out at Apeksha Hospital. Tremendous support is being given by Apeksha Hospital 

Staff

The Hospice staff includes an administrator, qualified nurses, a sister- in- charge, hospice aides and kitchen staff. A visiting doctor, who makes a visit once a week, provides medical care. The programme of caring for the ill is supported by a trained counselor, a physiotherapist and dedicated volunteers, who attend to the various needs of the patients at regular intervals.  
Nurses participate in Continued Medical Education by attending seminars held in Sri Lanka; either by the Health Ministry or National Cancer Control Programme or Apeksha Hospital, as well as the College of Palliative Medicine of Sri Lanka. Further, staff from other institutes visit the Hospice and work as volunteers to gain experience in caring for terminally ill patients. 

Supply chain

All medicines, consumables and capital items are purchased by the Hospice, where the funding is either from the Sri Lanka Cancer Society or donors. 

Medical records

Clinical notes are maintained in the ward where doctors and nurses make their observations recorded. Following the death of a patient the patient’s file is sent to Apeksha Hospital for Medical Records storage.

Funding

The operations of the Hospice are entirely funded by donations which is the greatest challenge faced by the Sri Lanka Cancer Society.  As a result, community support is essential to ensure that the Hospice can continue to provide vital  care and comfort to those in need. 
By coming together as a community we can ensure that the hospice continues to be a beacon of hope and comfort for those who need it most.