INAUGURATION OF THE PROJECT
The Nilgiris Region Pain and Palliative Care Unit and the “Karunai Ambulance Service,” implemented as part of the Golden Jubilee Year of the Diocese of Mananthavady, were inaugurated and flagged off by His Excellency Mar Jose Porunnedam on 16.03.2024.
In his inaugural speech, His Excellency stated that pain and palliative care is the need of the hour. In situations where children migrate abroad or move to distant places, leaving their parents behind, palliative home care services become highly beneficial for many people in the Nilgiris, irrespective of caste or religion.
As part of the Golden Jubilee Memorial Nilgiri Package, the Pain and Palliative Care Unit, established in the Nilgiris region at an estimated cost of Rs. 12 lakhs, is being jointly implemented by the Nilgiris Development Society (NDS) and Pattavayal Amala Hospital. The inauguration ceremony was attended by NDS Director Fr. Binoy Kassamkuttiyil, S.H. Mananthavady Provincial Superior Sister Gracy Mathew, Nilgiris Regional Vicar Fr. Biju Ponparakkal, respected priests, sisters, artisans, representatives from the social and political sectors of the Nilgiris region, and many others.
PALLIATIVE CARE ACTIVITIES
As part of the Karunai Pain and Palliative Care activities, around 500 bedridden patients received necessary palliative care services during the last 12 months in the Pattavayal, Bekki, Kunnaladi, Kayyunni, and Kottad areas of Pandalur Taluk in the Nilgiris region.
The blood sugar and blood pressure levels of bedridden patients were regularly monitored, and necessary support was provided to patients requiring urgent urinary and renal tube care. Clothes were purchased and distributed to patients who were in distress and lacked adequate clothing, while food items were provided to needy families. Mouth care and bed bath services were also provided. Cancer patients were regularly visited, their wounds dressed, and necessary care and support extended to them.
FREE MEDICAL CAMP
A free medical camp was jointly organized by the Society and Amala Development Hospital, Pattavayal, at Devarshola, Mayfield, on 22nd June 2025. The camp was conducted under the leadership of the Pain & Palliative Care Unit of the Nilgiris Development Society with the support of 3 doctors, 4 nurses, a lab technician, and 4 social workers from Amala Hospital.
KARUNAI PAIN & PALLIATIVE CARE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The annual conference of the Nilgiri Region Pain and Palliative Care Unit and the “Karunai Ambulance Service,” implemented as part of the Golden Jubilee Year of the Diocese of Mananthavady, was held on Sunday afternoon, 23.03.2025, at St. Mary’s Auditorium, Kalpra.
In his presidential address, NDS Director Fr. Binoy Kassamkuttyil stated that pain and palliative care is the need of the hour and that palliative home care services are highly beneficial for economically backward patients and elderly people in the Nilgiris, irrespective of caste or religion.
AMBULANCE SERVICE
Karuna Pain and Palliative Care was able to provide free ambulance assistance to debilitated patients. Ambulance assistance was provided at a moderate cost to about 150 patients who went to hospitals in Pattavayal, Bathery, Kalpetta, Kozhikode, Meppadi, Ooty, and Gudalur for specialist treatment for the last one year.
