MLDT Hospital – Palghar
LOCATION: PALGHAR
About 20 years ago, Dr. M L Dhawale Memorial Trust set up two hospitals in the Palghar region. A 100 bedded hospital in Palghar caters to the Industrial workers, fishermen and rural farming community of the region. A 10 bedded community care center in village Bhopoli (District Palghar) looks after the tribal population.
The hospital at Palghar offers:
• Homoeopathic general Outpatient Department & Inpatient Department
• Special Homoeopathic OPDs like Diabetes, Hypertension, Rheumatology, Skin diseases, Pulmonology, Nephrology, Psychiatry, Pediatrics
• Departments of General Medicine with ICU, Pediatrics with NICU, Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedics, Surgery, Dentistry, Ophthalmology, ENT, Physiotherapy, Speech therapy and Occupational Therapy
• Diagnostic facilities like X-Ray, Sonography; color Doppler, Endoscopy, ECG, 2D Echo, Stress test, BMD, Pulmonary function studies & Pathology Lab.
• Unique to the region – a 10 bedded dialysis Center and a 14 bedded Geriatric Care Center.
Due to high quality service at affordable rates, the hospital is extremely popular and attracts over 300 patients every day (mostly from the lower socio economic background).
We are honored to have received the following accreditation and certifications –
• NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospital & Healthcare Providers) accreditation for our Allopathic and Homoeopathic services
• Indian Merchant Chamber’s Ramkrishna Bajaj National Quality Commendation Certificate 2018
• Department of AYUSH recognizing us as a ‘Centre of excellence’ in Homoeopathy.
DHAWALE TRUST HOSPITAL GERIATRIC CARE PROGRAM AT PALGHAR
Geriatric care is an increasing need in India with increasing life span, urban mobility and breakdown of the joint family system. Senior citizens in rural and tribal areas are unable to have access to proper health care. MLD Trust started catering to this need by starting a geriatric OPD in 2016. Subsequently we inaugurated a 14 bedded ‘Prof Ram Kapse Senior Citizen Center’ in September 2018. In addition, we also have a 19 bedded ‘Anukampa ward’ for senior citizens with neuropsychiatric problems.
Impact of Project – To restore dignity and improve the quality of life for senior citizens who require active nursing care in a hospice setup and are unable to receive the same within their domestic setups.
Project Summary – We serve senior citizens from Mumbai, Palghar and Thane district who are unable to manage activities of daily living due to conditions like paralysis, dementia, parkinsonism, osteoporosis, fractures, encephalitis, etc. needing active nursing care. We give them holistic care with the help of a professional team consisting of homoeopaths, allopaths, clinical psychologist, dementia expert, physio, speech and occupational therapists along with experienced nurses, Rugnasahayaks, qualified geriatric care assistants and Medical social worker under one roof. These services are not available in most of the vrudhashrams or senior citizen centres.
Numbers of Beneficiaries – At any given point of time, approximately 20 people are admitted for Geriatric care at DTH. Many of them stay with us long term.
Annual Project Cost – The approximate expense per person is $ 400 per month. With an average of 25 persons being served at any given point of time, the monthly expense is $10,000 i.e. $120,000 per year.
Future Plans:
We are expanding our geriatric care facilities with focus on capacity building through training activities. The trust has finalized plans for developing additional infrastructure of about 7500 sq ft for senior citizens with support from a Philanthropic donor. The unit to be commissioned by early 2024 will have a provision for more than 50 beds having dormitory accommodation, single/twin/triple sharing accommodation, Geriatric Day care center and Recreation room, rehabilitation services, common recreation & food serving area designed in a geriatric friendly way. We propose to start Memory OPD and periodic visits of geriatricians from Mumbai/ Thane area in anticipation of this expansion.
DIALYSIS CENTER AT PALGHAR HOSPITAL
Dialysis is a type of treatment that helps the body eliminate extra fluid and waste products from the blood when the kidneys are not able to. The process involves the use of dialysis machines. Patients with kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), often need dialysis. Conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes etc can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney disease and hence the need for dialysis. Patients on dialysis require it for a long term period. On an average, the individual requires 2-3 dialysis sessions per week.
Impact of Project – Elimination of body waste is essential to life. Dialysis helps keep the patient alive. With integrated management using allopathic and homoeopathic medicines, we are able to support longevity and improve quality of life for kidney patients. Given the frequent requirement for a dialysis, patients from Palghar and nearby areas are saved the effort and financial expense of visiting Mumbai or Valsad for regular dialysis. There are 5,500 beneficiaries who receive subsidized dialysis cycles.
Project Summary – MLDT runs the Dialysis project under a government program wherein 80% of the dialysis cost is covered by government subsidy. Expenses towards the balance 20% create a deficit/ loss which is currently covered through subsidies offered by a donor Trust.
Annual Project Cost – Approximately $90,000
Projected Needs for 2023-2024: For 6,000 beneficiaries is $37,000