Actress launches new helpline

The Cipla Palliative Care Centre's new helpline was launched by former Bollywood Actress Kimi Katkar. This new helpline will offer free palliative care and counseling over the phone. The phone number for those in need is (020-65292912).

A press note states: "The Cipla Palliative Care centre has provided free care for 7400 patients since its inception, but the 50-bed facility was never full due to lack of awareness on Palliative Care. With the launch of helpline, the centre will be able to help the patients with information on Palliative Care and facilitate them with the required support to get admitted at the Centre."

Dr. Priyadarshini Kulkarni, Medical Director, Cipla Palliative Care and Training Centre said, "This helpline would enable us to transcend the physical boundaries of the centre and reach out to a larger number of patients every day. Currently, the perception in India about Palliative Care is that it is the last option and resort for terminally ill cancer patients. However, now with the scope of Palliative Care being widened to include other non-communicable diseases beyond cancer, it would help towards changing the mindset of people. Palliative Care should be introduced at the stage of diagnosis as it is about ensuring better quality of life through pain, symptom management and through addressing various emotional, social and spiritual issues."

Launching the helpline, Mr. S.V. Iyer, Managing Trustee, Cipla Palliative Care and Training Centre said, "Our Centre has been appreciated by leading global physicians during their visit to India. The Centre is one of the best and it has full-fledged equipments and facilities required for delivery of Palliative care to cancer patients and that too free of cost."