Aastha Hospice & Geriatric Care Centre

Aastha Centre for Geriatric Medicine Palliative Care Hospital and Hospice

An exterior image of Aastha Hospital and Hospice
Formation	2003
Founder	Dr. Abhishek Shukla
Founded at	Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Legal status	Registered Charity, Hospice, Geriatric Hospital
Purpose	Humanitarian, Geriatric
Location	Lucknow, India
Coordinates	26.882153°N 80.950353°E / 26.882153; 80.950353
Services	Geriatric clinics, outpatient facility, acute medical care, intensive care, Long-term care for bed-ridden patients, rehabilitation
Secretary	Dr. Abhishek Shukla
Key people	Dr. Abhishek Shukla Dr. Sandeep Kumar Dr. Atul Kumar Roy Dr. Rajendra Prasad Dr. V K Puri Dr. Amita Shukla Dr. Ram Pratap Singh Dr. Ujjwal Maheshwari Dr. Anil Kumar Shukla Dr. Sanjay Makheeja Dr. Rohit Purwar
Staff	50 (Approx.) (2024)
Volunteers	10
Website	hospiceindia.org

Aastha Hospice & Geriatric Care Centre is an Indian charitable organisation and research institute located at Aliganj in Lucknow, India.^[1][2] It provides specialised geriatric services for elderly patients. One of the services provided is an old age shelter home at its Aastha Old Age Home Resort.^[3][4]

History

Aastha Centre for Geriatric Medicine, Palliative Care Hospital & Hospice was established in 2006 by Dr. Abhishek Shukla.^[5] Shukla received a letter of gratitude from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his work on behalf of his organisation.^[6][7]

Services

The organisation provides specialised geriatric services for the elderly^[8] and also provides hospital services like geriatric clinics, acute medical care, intensive care,^[9] long-term care for bed-ridden patients and stroke victims, supportive care, cancer treatment, care and treatment of mentally ill patients, rehabilitation requiring fractures and joint replacements, home health care, and dementia care.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, the Aastha organization provided free Ambulance service to cast votes for Senior Citizens who are confined to bed.^[10][11]

The organization also runs various public campaigns, including:

1. Giving Saturday campaign, an initiative to support the underprivileged.^[12]
2. Fashion show for the elderly.^[13]
3. Observation of International Day of older persons.^[14][15][16]
4. Environmental protection awareness programme.^[17]
5. Observation of World Bone and Joint Day.^[18]

Philanthropy

“Sehat ka Utsav” Free Medical Camp and Seminar on health ageing organized by Aastha Geriatric Centre and the South Asian Journal of Geriatric Medicine, Surgery, Palliative Care & Hospice on 8th December 2024. Inaugurated by Mr. Asim Arun, Minister, and Justice Rajeev Singh from Allahabad High Court.^[19]

Recognition and Awards

1. Icons of Health Award by Governor of Uttar Pradesh Ram Naik in 2016.^[20]
2. "Best institution for providing services to the senior citizens" National Award "Vayoshreshtha Samman" in 2016 by President of India Pranab Mukherjee.^[21]
3. In July 2023, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, honoured the organisation for promoting body donation.^[22][23]

References

1. "UP should have an all girls' party: Kiran Bedi". The Times of India. 15 December 2010. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
2. "3 Best Old Age Homes in Lucknow, UP - ThreeBestRated". ThreeBestRated.in. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
3. "Aastha Centre for Geriatric Medicine, Palliative Care Hospital & Hospice, leaving an impact to the society". Bru Times News.
4. "HFPVS donated to Aastha Centre". Hindustan Times.
5. "A holistic approach to palliative care enhances quality of life". The Times of India. 14 October 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
6. "Royal College of Physicians' fellowship for Lucknow doctor". The Times of India. 10 December 2022.
7. "Dr Shukla in state council for sr citizens". The Times of India. 23 August 2022.
8. "End-of-life care facility in UP soon, but no policy yet". The Times of India. 11 October 2014. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
9. "Former IIT prof shifted to KGMU, call on surgery soon". The Times of India. 13 May 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
10. "Hospital's initiative keeps their 'aastha' in voting intact". The Times of India. 21 May 2024.
11. "Bedridden voters to get free ambulance". Hindustantimes.
12. "Uttar Pradesh: Ex-IAS officer Anita Bhatnagar Jain gifts her personal collection to Aastha Centre". The Times of India. 2 June 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
13. "World Elders Day: Aastha Centre for geriatric medicine, palliative care hospital, hospice and social welfare society celebrated World Elders Day with its patients". The Times of India. 3 October 2012. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
14. "'Don't take elderly for granted'". The Times of India. 2 October 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
15. "When the oldies learnt what's trending". The Times of India. 2 October 2015. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
16. "Elderly in Lucknow celebrate their day by walking along forest roads". Hindustan Times. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
17. "Senior citizens pedal through Lucknow, stress on environment protection, curbing pollution". The Times of India. 2 October 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
18. "Aastha provides free check-ups on world bone and joint day". The Times of India. 4 August 2012. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
19. "Health mantras for elderly: Socialising, exercise & positivity". The Times of India. 9 December 2024.
20. "Governor Shri Ram Naik presents icons of health award to Aastha". Retrieved 7 March 2024.
21. "President Presents 'Vayoshreshtha Samman' to Older Persons & Institutions on International Day of Older Persons". pib.gov.in.
22. "Aastha honoured for promoting body donation". The Times of India. 26 July 2023.
23. "Moment of pride: Families of body donors felicitated at KGMU". Hindustan Times. 25 July 2023.