Saleena with heart condition, provides palliative care to afflicted; publishes a novel

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Saleena has two heart valves that are not functioning properly. Despite this disability, Saleena Beevi, who lives in Beemapally, is busy providing palliative care to bedridden patients.

Doctors at Sree Chitra Institute have earlier set a date for her operation. However, Saleena's operation has been postponed because doctors at Sree Chitra Institute noted slight improvement in her valve function after experimental drug tests. She said she thanks God for this.

Saleena is a comfort to children with disabilities and those who need special care at the Palliative Care Unit of Pallium India. She also provides comfort to bedridden patients.

She has to take her medicines without interruption. She cannot do even heavy housework. She is also prohibited from climbing stairs. However, none of this hinders Saleena from dedicating the rest of her time to delivering care to the helpless. After dropping her children off at school, she devotes the remaining time to help out people in need.

She did not give up even when her second son, who is four and a half years old, was diagnosed with leukaemia. When her son recovered from the disease, she also volunteered for the 'Pratyasha' organisation, which works for children having cancer. She is now an executive member of Pratyasha. Her husband Peeru Muhammad and children Faris and Farhan provide Saleena with all kinds of support.

Active in writing

In addition to her care work, Saleena finds solace in writing poems and stories under the name 'Sanna Saleena.' Writing has been a passion since her school days, and she recently published a novel titled 'Faiza'. She also contributes to online magazines.