A haven for patients
Cancer Hospital Temple has sheltered over one million cancer patients since 1982
Walking into the premises of the Cancer Hospital Temple that has sheltered over one million cancer patients and their families since 1982, what immediately caught our eye was the wide open main door that welcomes every person who has reason to seek its shelter.
Situated at the Maharagama ‘National Cancer Institute’ premises, (165, Nallawatte Road) the Cancer Hospital temple was started in 1982 by late Ven. Weganthale Rahula Thero. At present the Chief Incumbent of the temple is Ven. Henegama Dhammadara Thero.
A place to rest: Ven. Weganthale talks to some of the people staying at the home. Pics by Susantha Liyanawatte
In the 1980’s, the Maharagama Cancer Institute had been the only hospital that provided cancer treatments for the whole of Sri Lanka. During the time there had been only a limited number of beds and hardly any facilities around the hospital for the patients’ accommodation or food and for the needs of the family members who accompanied them.
These patients and their relatives from remote villages had no alternative than to sleep in bus halts, seek shelter under trees outside the hospital, when it was too late to get back home after being discharged. Ven. Weganthale Rahula Thero seeing their plight established a place for lodging, free of charge in the form of a small “wooden hut”.
“We have been constructing the present building we live in, for almost 20 years. Our initial aim was to shelter and accommodate those who come to the hospital from afar. Now we are able to provide them with all three meals of the day,” Rev. Weganthale Seewalee, the Vice incumbent of the Temple said.
The temple is open from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. for cancer patients and their families. A record of everyone who resides in the temple even for a single day is maintained. The temple has three halls that are able to accommodate over 150 people at a time.
“We don’t have the luxury to provide them with a cup of tea on a daily basis,” says Ven. Seewalee Thero, “But we try our best to serve them with tea or soup in the evenings whenever possible. The meals consist of rice and curry with occasionally noodles for dinner which is cooked by the family members of the patients.”
In the dormitory where the patients and their relatives spend the night, mattresses, provided by the temple, are laid down on the tiled floor. Hemalatha (60) from Avissawella who had been a cancer sufferer for several years told us with tear-filled eyes that this place is like heaven to her.
There were also others from Mahiyanganaya, Galle and Wennappuwa who were grateful that they have such a place where all of them can stay together in harmony, irrespective of race, religion and background.
All the religious observances and activities in the hospital are performed by the temple with the focus uplifting the mental wellbeing of the patients. The temple has been providing counselling programmes related to Buddhism and meditation for patients. At present the Cancer Hospital temple is run by a bighearted team of six voluntary workers who look into the maintenance and the safety aspects of the temple but Weganthale Seewalee Thero says the temple is in need of more volunteers. Since the temple is unable to afford it, he would be grateful to anyone who would come forward to sponsor them.
“We are planning on building a seven-storeyed building with beds and other facilities. Since many patients lose faith in life right at the first stage of cancer, counselling programmes help increase the strength of mind to face challenges and enhance the confidence to fight cancer. All this has been made possible only through the support we receive from donors,” says Rev. Weganthale Seewalee thero.
They have established a foundation called “Cancer Care Welfare Sri Lanka” -Ven. Weganthale Seewalee is the Administrative Director. The Thero stressed that the attitude of the public needs to change: patients cannot wait until the government provides the necessary medicine and the public should join in providing medicine for cancer patients as cancer waits for nobody.
Those who are interested in making donations or helping their efforts could contact Ven. Weganthale Seewalee Thero on 0771459829.
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