By: Isuru Parakrama
October 25, Colombo (LNW): Bringing loving care and dignity to individuals facing the most difficult chapters of their lives due to illness, the ‘Comfort Care Home’ palliative care centre was officially opened today in the Northern Province by the Minister of Health and Mass Media.
Established with the noble humanitarian objective of providing an environment where people facing critical illnesses can minimise pain, find mental peace, and live out their lives with dignity amidst loving care, the centre is located in Sarasalai, Chavakachcheri, in the Jaffna District. The grand opening was held yesterday morning (24), graced by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.
State-of-the-Art Facilities and Completely Free Services
The newly opened centre features:
- 20 private rooms exclusively dedicated to patients requiring palliative care.
- Comprehensive medical amenities, including pain management therapy, oxygen therapy, and 24-hour nursing care.
- An espiritual garden established specifically to support patients’ mental well-being.
- Nutritious meal preparation facilities tailored strictly according to medical advice.
A standout feature of this institution is that all services are provided completely free of charge to patients in need. The project cost exceeds 350 million rupees, funded through the generous contributions of both local and foreign donors and philanthropists.
The initiative was spearheaded by Dr. K. Devakanthan, a retired Consultant Nephrologist who is a Sri Lankan native currently residing in the United States. He serves as the founder and current chairman of the Comfort Care Home. Furthermore, the land spanning over one acre on which the centre is built was generously donated by the family members of the late teacher, Mr. Kanagasabai, laying the foundational stone for this humanitarian mission.
A Crucial Human Responsibility
Addressing the gathering, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that while modern medical advancements have successfully cured numerous illnesses, there are instances where medical science faces limitations in curing certain advanced conditions. In such situations, he emphasised that minimising patient pain while providing mental peace, security, and dignity is a vital humanitarian responsibility of the healthcare service.
The Minister pointed out that patients reaching the final stages of conditions such as cancer and organ failure endure severe physical suffering, while their family members shoulder immense psychological and economic burdens. In such a backdrop, palliative care services play an extraordinary role by ensuring that patients are neither left alone nor helpless, tending to their physical, mental, and spiritual needs within a comforting environment.
Strengthening the Healthcare System and Community Support
Reiterating that providing fair and equal healthcare to every citizen is a primary government goal, the Minister stressed that community support, alongside government intervention, is indispensable for strengthening the healthcare system and securing overall public well-being. He underscored that healthcare encompasses not only treating diseases but also safeguarding patients’ mental peace and human dignity.
Dr. Jayatissa expressed his deep gratitude to all those dedicated to the project, including centre founders Consultant Nephrologist Dr. K. Devakanthan and Mr. Kathiragamanathan Balendran. He also gratefully acknowledged the support of local and foreign donors, including Mr. Mark Penny and Ms. Kelly Kagi from the United Kingdom, and Mr. Varagunan from Canada.
Easing Hospital Congestion and Setting a National Example
Emphasising that patients facing difficult life stages due to economic hardships must never be denied essential care, the Minister noted that such centres help significantly reduce the financial and psychological toll on patient families. Moreover, providing optimal environments for individuals needing long-term and palliative care helps government hospitals utilise their acute medical facilities and resources far more efficiently for emergency patients.
The Minister expressed strong confidence that this centre will serve as a model, inspiring the establishment of similar humanitarian palliative care services not only in the Northern Province but across other regions of the island. Reaffirming that no patient should ever be deprived of care and humane treatment during life’s most difficult moments, he concluded by stating that the Ministry of Health stands fully prepared to extend its continued support to sustain this noble mission.
The event concluded with the presentation of mementos to all individuals who contributed in various ways to the successful realisation of the project.
