Media Release

Mangaluru, Jan 28: "How Do You Tell Someone that Your Father or Mother or Wife is Going To Die?" asked Dr Jochen Becker, CEO, MediAcion, Germany and director of the palliative care course for medical professionals, which just concluded at KMC, here.

Breaking bad news, taking the family and the patient into confidence, sharing insights regarding the disease and making the people involved, including the doctors comfortable is the purpose of this palliative care course.

A batch of 22 medical professionals as diverse as allopathy, ayurveda, poly clinic owner, dental surgeon, nursing superintendents, attended the five day course.

'Pallium' a Latin word means 'cloak' a covering that takes all round care. It addresses the human aspect not just the medical part.

Dr Prabha Adhikari, KMC, had initiated this course last year, the first in India for geriatrics. She encouraged Dr Sheetal Raj, KMC, to organize it this year and it was a grand success.

Er Jerardin D'Souza, founder, MAA- Mangalore Alzheimer's Association, who certified himself in the first course, was all praise for the humane aspect of the palliative course content. The communication skills imparted in the course will go a long way in smoothening the relationship between patients family and the doctors, he felt.

All the participants had very valuable insights which they shared with Dr Jochen Becker on the day of certification.

Dr M V Prabhu, dean, KMC, attended the concluding session and presented the participants with certificates.