Sparsh Hospice gets NABH accreditation, launches living will clinic in Hyderabad

Sparsh Hospice, a Hyderabad-based palliative care institution, has received NABH accreditation and launched a living will clinic as it completes 15 years of service. The initiative aims to help individuals record their end-of-life medical preferences in advance.

Hyderabad: On the occasion of the completion of 15 years of providing palliative and hospice care to terminally ill patients, the city-based Sparsh Hospice on Wednesday announced that it has received National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) accreditation and the launch of a living will clinic.

Also known as Advanced Medical Directive, the living will clinic allows individuals to spell out their medical preferences well in advance. Under the initiative, patients can specifically state the kind of medical treatments they would or would not want if they were to develop an irreversible terminal illness or a permanent vegetative state in which they cannot speak for themselves.

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Dr. M. Subrahmanyam, Founder Trustee, Sparsh Hospice said that the facility has served close to 17,000 patients and their families. Currently, the hospice serves around 200 patients and 90 percent of its patients receive services free of cost, while those who can afford to pay are charged nominal amounts.

Jagadish Babu Ramadugu, Founder Trustee said the living will initiative is an important step towards promoting dignity and personal autonomy in end-of-life care by encouraging individuals to document their medical preferences in advance.

Minister, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, special chief secretary, Jayesh Ranjan, CMD, AIG Hospitals, Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy, Director, AIG Hospitals, Dr. G. V. Rao trustees, members of the Rotary Club of Banjara Hills and staff were present.