Diverse situations in life bring with it a shadow of gloom. In such scenarios we are called to display our persistence. Though the pandemic serves as a ripple effect of devastating news, it can also make us stronger if we let it. Our self-confidence and worth will get tested through numerous setbacks in life, but life hardly offers us the luxury of stopping. Though we may be in grief we must remember life will go on irrespective of our response to it.
Despite there being darkness in life, there will always be light at the end of the tunnel. We have the option of becoming that light. This aspect is often mandatory as we live in a world where politicians form the core of major decisions that have an impact on human life. While the impact of decisions that politicians make is inevitable, we must strive to be persistent. From jobs to sports persistence is the only path to success.
Goa has the potential to be more than a mere tourist destination. With proactive people in several fields, we can convert it into a reality. Enhancing the lives of many since its inception “Novi Survat Goa” is a name that has been the source of comfort for many by supporting their patients in diverse areas like nutrition, education, travel, provisions of medications, disability aid and appliances, counseling and therapeutic services for patients from diverse age groups.
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| Logo of "Novi Survat Goa" |
An initiative by two visionaries which began in 2007 by Dr. Philomena D’Souza, a Pediatrician and Ashika Sawant, a specialist in Pediatric Physiotherapy, "Novi Survat" began as a therapeutic center for the physically challenged and their parents who couldn’t afford paid therapists gradually evolved into something more significant over the course of years. Despite having a small team the professionals at "Novi Survat Goa" they ensured the patients kept coming back, as breaking the sessions midway would undo the progress of the previous sessions.
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| The Founders of "Novi Survat Goa" |
Enthusiastic Good Samaritans from abroad collaborated to take care of the smooth functioning of “Novi Survat Goa” in various areas like its establishment, therapeutic services and the maintenance of the establishment and ensured treatment could continue without the financial burden on the patients. A small but effective team enabled “Novi Survat Goa” to individually focus on 5 people with children per day, and an average of 20-25 children per month.
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| A Physiotherapy session |
Gradually the focus of the professionals of “Novi Survat Goa” began to spread to other needs such as nutritional needs, medical needs, and the need for speech therapy among others. Several situations over the course of years helped the experts of “Novi Survat Goa” understand that more children could avail of such advanced facilities. Thus medical assistance was extended to children with conditions that threatened their productivity and made them entirely dependent on their parents.
Children’s Palliative care was initiated by "Novi Survat Goa" in June 2019 with the objective of aiding children born with conditions that gradually became chronically progressive, and life limiting conditions that threatened their productivity and life span. Referrals are sent from several healthcare organizations which include both the government as well as the private sector, along with recommendations by individuals.
Since "Novi Survat Goa" has been established there are two main areas of work which are:-
a) Physiotherapy clinic to provide physiotherapy, speech and language therapy to children with multiple disabilities.
b) Home care for all children in need of palliative and supportive care like children with HIV/AIDS, Cancer, Birth Defects, inherited diseases, and others.
The ripple effects of the pandemic were felt by the professionals of "Novi Survat Goa" as the lockdown disrupted physiotherapy sessions, along with undoing the progress made by the previous sessions. This hasn’t affected the drive of professionals of “Novi Survat Goa” to help their patients. Despite the pandemic they strive to assist their patients. From conducting video sessions, to diverse forms of relief like financial support, provisions for rations and medications are providing during the lockdown to their patients.
The Good Samaritans of “Novi Survat Goa” can either be e-mailed on ‘novisurvatgoa@gmail.com’ while also being accessible on Instagram as ‘childrenspalliative_novisurvat’, along with an elegant website called novisurvatgoa.com.
