A new palliative care centre built at a cost of over Rs. 350 million with contributions from local and overseas donors was opened in Chavakachcheri, Jaffna, on October 24, offering completely free care to patients suffering from serious and life-limiting illnesses.
The facility, named Comfort Care Home, was officially opened by Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa in Sarasalai, Chavakachcheri.Unlike conventional medical facilities, the centre focuses on providing comfort, pain relief and emotional support to patients facing advanced stages of illnesses, including cancer and organ failure.
The facility features 20 private rooms, pain management services, oxygen therapy, round-the-clock nursing care and a spiritual garden designed to promote patients’ mental well-being.Patients will also receive nutritious meals based on medical recommendations, with all services provided completely free of charge.The project was spearheaded by Dr. K. Devakanthan, a retired nephrologist currently residing in the United States, who serves as the founder and chairman of Comfort Care Home.The centre was developed with financial support from local and international philanthropists and donors.More than an acre of land required for the project was donated by the family of the late teacher Kanagasabai.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister Jayatissa said that although modern medicine has made significant progress in treating diseases, there are situations where curing an illness is no longer possible.He stressed that providing pain relief, emotional comfort, dignity and compassionate care to patients in such circumstances remains an essential responsibility of the healthcare system.
The Minister also noted that palliative care facilities could reduce the financial and emotional burden on families while allowing government hospitals to better utilize resources for patients requiring emergency treatment.He expressed hope that the Comfort Care Home would serve as a model for establishing similar facilities in other parts of Sri Lanka.The Minister also pledged the Health Ministry’s support for the continued operation of the centre.Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, healthcare professionals, project founders and donors attended the opening ceremony.
