Benevolent Sanatorium
A Benevolent Sanatorium (/bəˈne və lənt ˌsæ nəˈtɔ ri əm/, Kiltic Sanatóir Déirceach [ˈsæ nəˌtɔɪr ˈdɪɹ kăxt]) is an Érevish medical facility for the long-term care of the victims of the the Ibormine Crisis of 1911-15. The first such facility was established in 1923 by the Ballmargath chapter of the Saint Iúd Benevolent Society. It became the model for a nationwide system of charitably operated homes which provided lifetime care for victims suffering from Ibormine Embryopathy Syndrome (IES). Although over time many Benevolent Sanatorium facilities have been closed or repurposed due to reduced need for their services, several are still in operation today.
Faced with government inaction and increasing need, the Saint Iúd Benevolent Society of Ballamargath announced the establishment of a charitable fund to support victims in 1918. After several years of fundraising, ground was broken on the corner of 33rd Street and St. Archibald Avenue for the world’s first specialized facility to care for IES patients. On 22 Fovar of that year the doors were opened to the building’s first residents.
Over the ensuing years, individual chapters of the Saint Iúd Benevolent Society built more than 100 Benevolent Sanatoriums throughout Érevon, reaching a peak of 121 in 1935. As the population of IES patients began to decline after 1945, the facilities were eventually closed and either sold or repurposed to provide other charitable services to their communities. The original Ballmargath building now houses the Ibormine Crisis Museum, which documents the origins, causes and tragic consequences of what has been called the worst man-made medical crisis in modern history.
In the early years, efforts were made with varying success to provide educational services to patients deemed capable of learning. As patients aged, these programs were slowly phased out in favor of enhanced physical and occupational therapy resources.
Each Benevolent Asylum employed a fully trained medical staff including a licensed physician, a dental clinician and patient care nurses. Each facility was equipped with a well-appointed medical suite capable of handling most health emergencies.
History
As the cause and consequences of the Ibormine Crisis were more fully appreciated by western health care authorities, it became increasingly apparent that a large and as yet unknown number of victims would likely require extensive long-term care throughout their lives. Although most victims did not survive past early childhood, over 100,000 lived to adulthood, many well into their sixties and beyond.Faced with government inaction and increasing need, the Saint Iúd Benevolent Society of Ballamargath announced the establishment of a charitable fund to support victims in 1918. After several years of fundraising, ground was broken on the corner of 33rd Street and St. Archibald Avenue for the world’s first specialized facility to care for IES patients. On 22 Fovar of that year the doors were opened to the building’s first residents.
Over the ensuing years, individual chapters of the Saint Iúd Benevolent Society built more than 100 Benevolent Sanatoriums throughout Érevon, reaching a peak of 121 in 1935. As the population of IES patients began to decline after 1945, the facilities were eventually closed and either sold or repurposed to provide other charitable services to their communities. The original Ballmargath building now houses the Ibormine Crisis Museum, which documents the origins, causes and tragic consequences of what has been called the worst man-made medical crisis in modern history.
Services
Staffed by the Poor Sisters of Saint Caithlín, the Érevish Benevolent Sanatoriums provided full service health care and living assistance to their residents throughout all hours of the day and night every day of the year. Patients were housed in semi-private rooms or in a dormitory setting, depending upon their individual condition and physical requirements. Those who were able took their meals in a communal dining room, while others received individual meals at their bedside.In the early years, efforts were made with varying success to provide educational services to patients deemed capable of learning. As patients aged, these programs were slowly phased out in favor of enhanced physical and occupational therapy resources.
Each Benevolent Asylum employed a fully trained medical staff including a licensed physician, a dental clinician and patient care nurses. Each facility was equipped with a well-appointed medical suite capable of handling most health emergencies.
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