Good samaritans at cancer block of Royapettah Government Hospital

When a family member was undergoing treatment for cancer, Mala and Sekar Viswanathan went to great lengths to ensure a sterile environment at home.

The effort paid off: The patient did not contract an infection during the course of the treatment and is today, a triumphant cancer survivor.

Residents of Mylapore, the Viswanathans are doing something similar for patients at the cancer block of Royapettah Government Hospital, free of cost.

They have been offering housekeeping services under Viswajayam Foundation at the block since 2013 when it was established at the government hospital.

For this work, the Foundation recently received the Inspiring Idol Award from Thenmozhi Memorial Trust.

Clean service

“When we started, only two floors were actively functioning. We initially employed five staff members who worked for eight hours. Today, we have 16 members who work on a rotating shift,” explains Sekar Viswanathan, who manages to find the tine to visit the hospital and supervise the staff despite a demanding profession involving business development.

The Foundation provided the manpower to operate the sterilisation machine at the hospital.

There is a separate unit for each of the three cleaning processes — washing, spinning and drying. The staff change linen sheets every alternate day. Toilets are cleaned six times a day.

Auto scrubber dryers ensure the floor is dry throughout the day.

Green practices

Organic disinfectant made from komium (cow urine) by Sri Jayam Agro Agencies is used for cleaning the floors and toilets. “Aarjati Foundation provided us with a machine to make sodium hypochlorite, a replacement for liquid bleach. We also use this as a disinfectant,” says Sekar.

To discourage patients from using plastic cups and plates, the couple provides them with stainless steel plates, tumblers and cutlery, which they can use during their stay at the block.

The utensils are given in cloth bags specially sourced from a village in Andhra Pradesh.

Mala, a school teacher by profession, manages the administrative part of the Foundation.

“Though our expenses have been increasing by the year, the work is sustained by contributions, which are entirely used for the service,” she says.

Going rural

Mala and Sekar are planning to take these housekeeping services to government hospitals in rural areas. As the first step towards this, they will conduct free cancer screening services in villages.

“Many cancer patients from rural areas come for treatment when the disease is at an advanced stage. Through this service, we will create awareness about the importance of early screening for cancer, measures to prevent cancer and also the significance of cleanliness and hygiene during treatment. We will do this work, take one district or taluk at a time, and visit every village” says Sekar, who can be reached at 9380022773 or viswajayam.fn@gmail.com.