In India, 5.4 million are in need of palliative care annually. Palliative service coverage is only 2%. Sanjeevan ( 'giving life') is a comprehensive system of community-based palliative care based on a deeper search for the true meaning of life. Its integral approach involves the body, surroundings, emotions and mind of the patient to help connect to the innermost self. The experience transforms both the cared and the carer. Sanjeevan is also creating compassionate communities, along the way.
People with incurable or terminal illness suffer greatly in their last days - physically & psychologically. Annually about 5.4 million in India need access to holistic care that is patient-centered & not disease-focused. Although 85% deaths occur after prolonged illness & debilitation, less than 2% of India's population has access to pain management & palliative care. Lack of such facilities leads to improper use of scarce resources meant for curative therapy and blockage of hospital beds.
Hospice has not worked in India due to India's ethos & its population. India needs a holistic care that includes physical, psychological, social & spiritual dimensions, & gives meaning to life. Sanjeevan, community-empowered palliative care, is based on a deep understanding of life & death - thereby enriching the care system & transforming both the cared-for & the carer. It trains and empowers the community & the neighborhood medics to deliver care to a large number of patients in the community.
Sanjeevan can be India's contribution to the world for a transformative end-of-life care. The aim is to take the model across the globe, especially in the developing countries. It has already been adopted in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Bangladesh apart from various parts in India. The long-term impact is to generate awareness on palliative care, enable effective meaningful care to a large number of palliative patients and unite communities on the foundation of compassion.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
