Hi, My name is Issac Theophilos. I started my nursing journey in Kerala, India. I then migrated to the UK to pursue my career in nursing. Currently, I work with many care homes as a care business consultant in the UK. Those who know me personally know how much passion I have for delivering Outstanding Care for the elderly and disabled. To help our fellow nurses in India, I took the challenge of raising £3500/- to purchase four hoists for a non-profit care home in Kerala, India. I am sure I have a large network of colleagues in care home sector who care about others who would be willing to support me.

During my latest visit to Kerala, I visited Jubilee Mandhiram, a non-profit nursing home serving the local community fully funded from well-wishers' donations. The care home is in Kerala, most Southern part of India.

What is the need?

Currently, they have 20 bedridden patients from the local community. These patients are the people who are not able to fund their care or do not have family or friends. These people are being looked after by VOLUNTEER nurses who provide their time and life free of cost. (Hats off to them)

The demand for places is becoming more and more in the local area. They have nearly completed a new hospice to accommodate another 50 bedridden patients but are stuck with fundraising for essential equipment to start functioning. (Aiming to open in October 2021).

In the UK and other developed countries, transferring a patient without proper equipment is illegal. Anyone who cares for bedridden patients can understand how difficult it is to transfer someone without a hoist. This kind of manual handling can cause life-changing back injuries for these nurses who do not have access to hoists and other manual handling equipment. Transferring without the proper equipment can cause shoulder injury and falls to the patient.

Although hoists are available in India, it is usually a luxury for private hospitals but not a legal requirement. Most nursing homes and hospices in India serve local communities funded by well-wishers and religious institutions. They usually use the funds to feed the care home residents or meeting their immediate medical priorities. Purchasing a hoist is not even on their radar due to financial limitations.

I visited Jubilee Mandiram on one of their special days in August. They were celebrating Onam, a local festival in Kerala. There were outdoor games and a lot of fun. All the residents, including the bedridden patients, were brought out to enjoy the day. Nurses said most of the bedridden patients bring them out for activities every day. I was surprised by their commitment and dedication despite their lack of equipment to make their life easier. It is usually because many nurses in Kerala might not have even seen a hoist, although they have studied safe patient handling.

The nurses I met were young graduates with a long professional career ahead. Causing a back injury for these committed nurses is heartbreaking for all of us. They deserve the best due to their commitment and dedication. And we can make it happen.

Are we blind to our blessings at times?

Despite having all the equipment and regulations to protect healthcare workers in the UK, we still complain 'not enough'. It may be because we are blind to our blessings.

Some of the items below are luxuries for the VOLUNTEER nurses in Jubilee Mandhiram.

- Hospital bed

- Cardiac table

- Adult nappies (Plenty in supply)

- Appropriate PPEs

- Hoists/ stand-aids

- Accessible toilets

- Adequate patient privacy due to structural limitations

- Clinical items

- Number of staff

- Air conditioner.

And the list goes on.

How can we realise their dream?

They are building a new hospice facility to accommodate severely ill patients. It is in good progress despite the COVID situation. They dream to make it the best hospice with international standards. The staff who gives their time and energy free deserves 'safe' handling of patients to protect their health. I have seen with my own eyes the dedication of the Management and staff leading this project. Your help fulfils their dream of building a safe place to work and makes it the best place to live for the residents.

Who can support it?

Anyone can support to make this happen. I only need £3500/- to purchase four hoists.

I will transfer any excess funds to Jubilee Mandhiram for purchasing anything else they need to open the new hospice. Please see the attached letter for their further requirements.

Jubilee Mandiram ALSO requires the following to open the new facility:

- 50 Hospital beds with mattresses - £12,500

- 10 wheelchairs - £1000

- 20 Cardiac tables - £1000

So I will transfer any extra funds to Jubilee Mandhiram for buying essentials to open their fantastic hospice to serve the poor and disabled.

Please contribute if you are a nurse, healthcare worker, care home worker, care home provider, care company, investor, healthcare supplier, or anyone interested in social care across the world. We will receive any donations with much gratitude. By showing the kind gesture, you will have more abundance in your life. And God will make sure you will get someone to look after you when you are in any need!

Proof?

I am sure some may be sceptical about fundraising. I will be following up to make sure it is being used for the right purpose, and I will release the video of staff using the hoist as proof of our successful campaign. I am hoping you will be a part to fulfil our mission!

Many thanks for reading my appeal to you,

Issac Theophilos

Please click on below links for more detail: Thanks

Hoist appeal letter from Jubilee Mandhiram

Proforma Invoice for purchasing four hoists