Bollobhpur Hospital`s Geriatric Ward-fondly known as the `G Ward’, is a place of care for long stay elderly and infirm patients and where many have received terminal care.
The `G Ward’ was created (without any extra help or funding) by extending the isolation ward (no longer needed as Tetanus is a thing of the past) and including some old unused out buildings. And at the same time three Elderly care community worker were appointed to take care and a listening ear to the elderly in their homes.
At present the 19 beds inside the ward are full with two women in extension beds on the Verandah, and five new comers seeking care, have beds in the female ward.
Seven elderly men, three already into their 90s are with us. Robert and Monimoy have master degrees and spent their working life in teaching; Sochi lived alone on the fringe of a distant village. Lucas was picked up from the pavement somewhere and brought to us, Paul occupied an important post until a brain stroke brought him to a bed in the G Ward, Bappi has three brain strokes and needs complete care, Nowel has diabetes and can only see very near objects, but all are receiving the care they need.
Of the 17 women, a few are real G Ward inmates, elderly, managing alone, but no one to care for them at home, although there are stroke patients with paralysis among them, diabetes and handicap, also one severely mentally disturbed lady.
And as I mentioned before we began this work almost 20 years ago with no funding or expectation of funding, just based on the love of God, and the earnest desire to do something for the elderly, that no one else (NGO or group) seems to be doing.
At present a few inmates pay a small monthly fee for their food and care, and we are grateful to friends who have visited, met the inmates, and have given or are giving a donation to help the work.
And we were extremely grateful this month to receive sudden gift from Australia, and an unexpected gift from new friends in Canada, and their donation is now in fixed deposit to help in the future. Thank you all for keeping alongside and please pray for our G Ward and also our student nurses as they care for them all.
