Published on: December 27, 2025

Visiting Deepsikha’s Hospice and Deepsikha Sishu Sthal

During my recent field visit in Guwahati, I had the opportunity to spend time at two remarkable care spaces run by Deepsikha (A Trust for Cancer Care)—Deepsikha’s Hospice and Deepsikha Sishu Sthal. Both centres demonstrate a strong dedication to dignity, comfort, and compassionate support for people living with serious illnesses and their families.

Deepsikha’s Hospice: A Quiet Haven of Care

Located in a serene and easily accessible part of the city, Deepsikha’s Hospice is a 20-bedded palliative care facility, currently caring for six patients. As soon as I stepped inside its doors, I was struck by how well this facility was maintained. It has the kind of environment that immediately reassures families that their loved ones are in safe hands.

The Hospice is staffed by a dedicated team of six nurses and two physicians, and their warmth and attentiveness were apparent in every interaction. Their approach to patient care is gentle yet attentive, combining medical expertise with that special quality of human presence that makes all the difference in palliative care.

I am grateful to Dr Mrinmoyee Baruah (Honorary Trustee & Secretary) for facilitating the visit and for the meaningful conversations we shared. We also explored avenues for collaboration, recognising how aligned our missions are in expanding access to quality palliative care in Assam.

Deepsikha Sishu Sthal: A Shelter of Hope for Children

Yet another moving experience was at Deepsikha Sishu Sthal: this is specially designed for kids undergoing cancer treatment and their caregivers. The centre offers free or subsidized accommodation, so that money or lack of it, doesn’t become a barrier in accessing treatment.

Sishu Sthal is more than a shelter—it is a place where families find stability during one of the most challenging periods of their lives. The environment is child-friendly, safe, and nurturing, reflecting Deepsikha’s understanding of the emotional and practical needs of young patients and their parents.

A Larger Network of Support

Deepsikha operates a network of facilities across Assam and beyond, including:

• Arogya Bhavan (patient support centres) in Dibrugarh, Assam
• Shanti Sthal (a hospice)in Guwahati, Assam
• Sishu Ashray Sthal (a children’s care centre)in Guwahati, Assam
• Four Arogya Bhavans and a dormitory accommodation in Navi Mumbai

Across all these spaces, their mission remains consistent: to provide comfort, dignity, and support to people navigating the difficult journey of cancer.

Reflections

My visit to Deepsikha’s Hospice and Sishu Sthal was both grounding and inspiring. These centres stand as powerful reminders of what compassionate, community-rooted palliative care can look like. As Pallium India continues its work across the country, partnerships with organizations like Deepsikha strengthen our collective ability to reach people who need care the most.

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