Santhitheeram

Introduction

Focus

Health is a God-given boon to human life. Only when one loses it does one realise the value of it. As the saying goes: "Only when the eye is lost, is the value of vision realised."

Debility, Disease, Death - all these create a lot of anxiety and apprehension in the human mind. Cancer, stroke, injuries affecting brain and spinal cord, chronic diseases, all these render life miserable and meaningless. The average life span of a Keralite is 73 years. Waiting for impending death in old age is a cruel punishment, tortuous for a person, whether he is rich or poor, educated or ignorant, brave or weak. This is especially so when the remaining life is made unbearable with physical pain, loneliness, mental depression, restriction of movements, etc.

Are we doing justice to these unfortunate people? Are we not bound to give them comfort and peace as far as possible? These people have given their energy, wealth and time during their healthy period for the benefit of the family and the society. Is it not our duty to provide them with proper care during the fag end of their life or at least a peaceful death? By neglecting them are we not forgetting one of the major duties to our fellowmen?

Santhitheeram Charitable Trust was born as an answer to all these questions. The main aim of this organization is to provide nursing care as well as psychological, emotional and spiritual support to these completely bedridden people, who are condemned to a life of pain, fear, isolation and dejection. The care we offer is a comprehensive one, based on scientific knowledge. We hope that this service as well as compassion will help many individuals spend the rest of their life peacefully and painlessly in a dignified manner. It may even help them to regain their independence and self-confidence to a certain extent.

A vast majority of bedridden patients needing continuous nursing care are silently suffering at present, in their homes, cursing their existence. They pose a burden to nuclear families, already beset by life's rigorous demands on their time & their resources. Family atmosphere often gets distorted.

Those who have money do not have time to spare, or manpower to care for their bedridden relatives. Some do want to care for them, but do not know how to go about it. Still others do not have money or manpower or space to give adequate care.

An institution for terminal care is a heaven sent boon to all the above groups of people.