BPCL’s helping hand to Tata for Punjab’s Cancer treatment and Research as a CSR initiative

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Tata Memorial Centre have signed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for funding hospitals and research centres in Punjab, which are especially involved in palliative care. They aim to facilitate Homi Baba Cancer Hospital, Sangrur and Homi Baba Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and Mullanpur, a unit of Tata Memorial Centre. The Memorandum states BPCL’s 1.85 crores investment for the cause of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

BPCL is a fortune global 500, a ‘Maharatna’, and most importantly, the second-largest Indian Oil Marketing Company. A Maharatna company can invest between 1000 crores to 5000 crores. The BPCL Director of Marketing, Mr. Sukhmal Jain, keeps a vision of energising the nation and enlightening the lives of people suffering from cancer.

Considering a sustainable future, BPCL focuses on developing an ecosystem. This lets the company bridge towards a Net Zero Energy Company by 2040, categorically in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. The investment would allow the centres to aid better palliative care. By having hi-tech surgical equipment for advanced medical treatments for the deprived at reasonable costs. In addition, it will also help the research and enhance the quality of studies for a better prospective future of the nation.

Besides the above cause, BPCL is also taking initiatives towards education, skill development, water conservation, health community development, employee volunteering and capacity building.

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care plays a critical role in the lives of the ill. The palliative care centres function collaboratively with the oncology departments. The investment in above mentioned hospitals will empower the doctors, nurses and researchers. In addition, it will also cater to the adequate treatment, psychological, spiritual and social muddles of the patients. Currently, only 14% of the complete demography of people who are needy of such care actually receive it.

Barriers to Palliative Care

• There is a profound lack of knowledge about palliative care. The advantages it can provide to patients and healthcare systems among policymakers, medical professionals, and the general public;
• The prevailing impediments resulting from culture and society, such as attitudes on death and dying;
• Numerous false beliefs regarding palliative care, such as those that it is only for cancer patients or those in their final weeks of life;
• Major misconceptions that improving access to opioid analgesia will lead to increased substance abuse.

World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Perspective and Guidelines

According to the World Health Organization, palliative care must be reinforced. The guidelines state the importance of countries and respective establishments to initiate the former as a CSR initiative. World Health Organization’s vision to nourish and brace the efforts for the betterment of global palliative care cover the following domains:

• Integration of palliative care into all relevant health systems and global disease control and plans;
• Advancing guidelines and tools along with addressing ethical issues for comprehensive care;
• Assisting Member States in improving access to particular medicines through improved national regulations and delivery systems;
• Promoting increased access to palliative care for children (in collaboration with UNICEF);
• Developing guidelines and indicators for evaluation and monitoring global access to concerned services;
• Encouraging adequate resources in resource-limited countries; and
• Creating evidence of palliative care models suitable in low- and middle-income settings.

The world is place for every age group and for every individual regardless of their health and diseases. We are together in this life run. All organizations and the authorities must put their step forward in making this world a better place to survive and shall adhere to their Corporate Social Responsibilities.

Read More: The Power of CSR in Developing Smart and Sustainable Cities