Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations

(Region 13, Sri Lanka)

23 November 2000

Foreword

Just as a flower buds, blossoms, and shines its youthful radiance, it must also in time, mature, die, and decay. We are all leaves on the tree of life, and we too will whither and fall someday.

The process of dying can often begin long before death and can involve the affected individual, family, friends and loved ones. Disease management is a process involving identifying, curing, relieving and comforting. It is a process that extends beyond diagnosis and cure.

Unfortunately, health care systems today are primarily oriented towards the cure of disease. Doctors are taught to diagnose and treat a disease, with the expectation that the patient will be cured as a consequence. The objective of the health care system is to cure a patient of a disease can often ignore the broader realm of disease management which involves providing care and comfort to a patient and loved ones.

Sri Lanka has achieved notable success in its health programme in recent years, primarily due to the firm resolve and commitment of the Government and the adoption of sound policies. Sri Lanka's social indicators compare favourably with those in more developed countries. The life expectancy at birth has increased from 65 to 75 in the past three decades. The increased life expectancy has lead to an increased incidence of non-communicable and degenerative diseases including cancer. Cancer is now the second largest killer next to cardio-vascular diseases.

The devotees of the Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation in Sri Lanka have embarked on a Project to set up a Hospice for terminally ill cancer patients. The purpose of this project it to provide care and comfort to those who are affected with terminal cancer. The project offers an alternative to aggressive medical treatment aimed at fighting the disease by any means possible, at a time when that approach has become counter productive. Recognising that the process of death can be long and enduring , the cancer hospice project is aimed at providing comfort, guidance and love to cancer patients in order to ease the burden of dying.

Taking care of terminally ill patents is a privilege and a gift that teaches us not only about dying. But also about living. All those who have the courage to care for dying patients, will be enriched by this experience.

May Bhagavan Baba shower His blessings on our efforts.

S.Sivagnanam
		Immediate Past Central Coordinator
		Region 15, 
		Sri Lanka.