Bhaktivedanta Hospice Vrindavana
I got the opportunity to visit Bhaktivedanta Hospice. Jai Bhagavan Das prabhuji took me around the whole complex and showed me everything. I am very impressed by the service provided by the devotees.
People suffering from cancer come here. They have Lord Krishna Balarama deities and everyday Aarti, kirtan, boga offerings, Bhagavad Gita class is done. They take around Lord Krishna and Balarama around the complex to give darshan to all the patients. Prasadam is than served to all patients.
When cancer patients are in last stages, they get good care here. Bhaktivedanta Hospice provide free food, Nurse facility, free check-up and free bed. Medicines are not free, but still few people who cannot afford medicine are given medicine using donated money that devotees donate.
They have a capacity of 25 beds, and they have around 350 patients all over Braj. Everyday devotees cover one area of Braj and give treatment in there house.
They also connect patients spiritually. Everyday they read Bhagavad Gita for patients and when patients are at the last stage of life, then devotees do continues kirtan for them and read Bhagavad Gita, so that they can remember Lord Krishna at the time of death. Devotees give moral & emotional support to family members.
They have General wards, Private wards, beautiful garden to walk around. They have 2 floors, first floor has same set up as Ground floor, but it is still not fully functional due to staff.
It has kitchen facility. Devotees cook food and provide hot meals to patients free of cost. Dinning hall is also available. Lift facility is also available.
First floor has many rooms that they also provide as a Guest room. Whatever is collected from Guests who stay in the guest room is used to run the hospice.
Bhaktivedanta Hospice runs a project in Barsana. Any problem or surgery related to eyes are performed in Barsana. Every Monday and Wednesday doctors come to Bhaktivedanta Hospice and do check up. Those who need surgery are sent to Barsana, which has all the facility.