His story encouraged James Cook maternity team members to help him set up a centre in Sittilingi, which is set to open in May.
Vijay said: “We believe that every parent deserves the right to acknowledge their baby’s existence in a safe, dignified space.
“Bringing that standard of care to a community that has felt invisible to the rest of the world is a dream come true for all of us.”
Consultant obstetrician Dr Helen Simpson and the hospital’s bereavement team have worked towards establishing a formal training curriculum for locals.
Three tribal students have been chosen as the first cohort to undergo training and they are expected to graduate weeks before the opening of the bereavement centre.
Simpson, who is travelling to Sittilingi with Vijay in April, said: “Hearing from Christy over the years about the lack of bereavement care the women in the village receive, including not being able to acknowledge the loss of a child, see, or name that child – was heartbreaking.
“Seeing his drive encouraged me to go out to India with him to and help set up the bereavement centre.”
