Centre for Hospice Care inaugurated in Tambaram

Health Minister Ma. Subramanian on Wednesday inaugurated a 180-bedded Centre for Hospice Care for terminally-ill cancer patients in Tambaram. The centre will function under the Madras Medical College.

The Minister said that the building was originally constructed during COVID-19 pandemic as an isolation ward for international air passengers.

It has now been repurposed and opened as a Centre for Hospice Care at a cost of ₹30.16 crore. The centre has facilities to provide care for 300 to 400 cancer patients every year.

The facility includes an outpatient department, 16-bed Intensive Care Unit, 134 general ward beds, and 30 pay ward beds. Mr. Subramanian said it has been established to provide supportive and palliative care.

He added that similar facilities existed in a few private hospitals in the country, while no other State government or Union government medical institution had such a facility.

It would provide end-of-life care, pain management, counselling, and psychosocial support for patients. Funds to the tune of ₹7.44 crore have been allocated annually for maintenance and operational expenses for the facility.