Opening of the Palliative Care Day Centre by Archbishop Germano Penemote, apostolic nuncio in Pakistan. Photo: Fr Robert McCulloch
St Elizabeth Hospital, Hyderabad, marked a significant milestone with the blessing and opening of its new Palliative Care Day Centre. The ceremony was held on January 12, 2026, and commemorated by the unveiling of a dedication stone.
The centre was formally blessed by H.E. Archbishop Germano Penemote, Apostolic Nuncio to Pakistan, in the presence of Most Rev. Samson Shukardin, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Hyderabad.
The opening of the Palliative Care Day Centre strengthens St Elizabeth Hospital’s commitment to compassionate care, particularly for patients with chronic and life-limiting illnesses.
Columban Fr Robert McCulloch is a board member of St Elizabeth's and played a key role in the construction of the Centre. In his address, he said:
"This Palliative Care Day Centre is a milestone breakthrough in healthcare in Pakistan. It is for cancer patients. It complements our Home-Based Palliative Nursing, which cares for cancer patients in their homes.
In 1958, St Elizabeth Hospital was dedicated in the name of St Elizabeth of Hungary. St Elizabeth was a queen 800 years ago, a holy woman, a woman with compassion for the poor and the sick; she built a hospital in Hungary to care for the poor. Today, 70 years later, our link with Hungary through our patron saint is made tangibly present and real by this Palliative Care Day Centre, which is the generous gift of the people of Hungary through “Hungary Helps”. "
Related links
- Read more from the current Columban eBulletin
- Address of Fr Robert McCulloch on the opening of the Palliative Care Day Centre
