Nims oncology to get library on World Cancer Day
On World Cancer Day, 13-year-old Akarshana Sathish opens her 19th library at NIMS oncology ward to bring books and hope to patients.
Hyderabad:For patients undergoing chemotherapy, hours of pain and uncertainty often pass with little to do but just endure. On World Cancer Day, 13-year-old Akarshana Sathish hopes to change that by inaugurating her 19th library at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (Nims) oncology ward, to give books and hope to cancer patients undergoing treatment.
Akarshana’s journey started during the lockdown when her parents and their friends distributed food at MNJ Cancer Hospital. A request for colouring books from a child undergoing chemotherapy led Akarshana to gather books from her friends, neighbours, and family. “What started as one became 18, and now, the 19th library is opening at Nims,” she said.
The library at Nims will house over 600 books, with 500 in Telugu and 100 in English. “During chemotherapy, patients barely have anything to do. Books help them pass time, distract from pain and offer a sense of comfort,” she explained. The inauguration will be attended by city police commissioner C.V. Anand and NIMS director Dr Bheerappa Nagari.
Akarshana is working on a project to set up libraries at all 57 Metro Rail stations. The first phase is set to launch in March through which commuters can borrow and return books at different stations.
