Free healthcare facility for kin of cancer patients near Tata hospital

According to Dr Banavali, since the TMH has no space or special department to treat general ailments of patients’ kin, the latter are routinely referred to KEM and Wadia hospitals. (Source: File Photo)

Relatives of cancer patients at the Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), most from outside Mumbai who struggle to fund the treatment of their kin and are forced to live on pavements, will soon have a primary healthcare facility for them near the hospital for free medical services.

A local NGO and a blood donor have come together to open the clinic, called Anand, which will start from Friday with TMH head of pediatrics, Dr Shripad Banavali, inaugurating it. From 10 am to 5 pm daily, two MBBS doctors will work in shifts to treat relatives of cancer patients with viral, fever, and general ailments.

“There is a dire need for health care services for these people. Treatment by private doctors for common ailments is quite expensive,” said blood donor Mehul Doshi, a Vile Parle resident, who has donated platelets 165 times and blood 68 times.

He added that he often came across such patients’ relatives who were compelled to travel to government hospitals for treatment, resulting in cancer patients missing their own chemotherapy or radiation sessions.

That is how he, along with Spread a Smile trust, conceptualised the idea of a healthcare facility for kin of cancer patients.

“There is usually one relative with one cancer patient in dharamshalas. If the relative himself or herself has to visit a hospital, he or she cannot take the patient to the TMH for routine visits. We have seen cases where infection spread from kin to patient,” said Doshi.

According to Dr Banavali, since the TMH has no space or special department to treat general ailments of patients’ kin, the latter are routinely referred to KEM and Wadia hospitals. “But these hospitals are overcrowded and often, the patients feel they have not been attended to well,” said Banavali, adding that an exclusive clinic will reduce waiting period for relatives of cancer patients and provide them with specialised care.

The TMH receives over 70,000 cancer patients every year, with each accompanied by one or more family members for a duration ranging from at least six months to over a year.

Located right across the Tata hospital, Anand Clinic will have two MBBS doctors posted for three hours each.

“Most of these family members earn Rs 100 through daily labour work. We will not charge them for consultation or medicines. Most can’t even afford medication,” said Dr Nikita Pawar (29), who recently returned from Dubai to practice in Mumbai and work for the social cause. She, along with senior physician Dr Dattaran Bhovad, will handle the patients.

The doctors will also try to provide symptomatic treatment for dengue and malaria that have witnessed a spurt due to the rains in city.