Media Release
Udupi, Oct 9: World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of October. Voices for Hospices Day is also celebrated on the same day every two years. Observing the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is to share the vision of increasing access to hospice and palliative care worldwide by creating an opportunity to address these needs. This campaign endeavours to create awareness and understanding of the medical, social, practical and spiritual needs of people living with a life-limiting illness and their families. The theme for 2022 is “Healing Hearts and Communities”.
Kasturba Medical College and Hospital Manipal organised a program to mark this day on 8th October 2022. Dr Darez Ahamed IAS, commissioner of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Government of Tamilnadu, was the chief guest for the program. Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor, MAHE, Manipal, presided over the program. Dr B Suresh Kumar Shetty, associate dean, KMC Mangalore, was the guest of honour. Dr Anand Venugopal, chief operating officer, Teaching Hospitals, MAHE, Manipal, Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent of Kasturba Hospital, Dr Naveen S Salins, head, Department of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care and other senior officials from MAHE Manipal were present.
On this occasion, Dr Darez Ahamed IAS released Blue Maple second edition, a booklet on the Limitation of Treatment and End of Life Care. He said, “Palliative Care should reach common people and communities through primary and community health centres. There is a huge demand for palliative care in India, but accessibility is less due to a lack of awareness and failure to reach communities. He mentioned how district administration and hospitals could collaborate to facilitate access to Palliative Care”.
Dr B Suresh Kumar Shetty said, “Manipal Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre has evolved and grown and presently distinguishes itself from other centres by providing comprehensive person-centred care, which is only possible with a dedicated and trained team.”
In his presidential address, Dr H S Ballal said, Good nursing care will make a huge difference in patient care because they spend more time with the patient. He emphasised the quality of life and dignity of death and how it impacts every human being directly or indirectly. He reiterated that awareness of the palliative care service should be much more prominent in the state and country.
Four family members shared their lived experiences of the palliative care journey of their loved ones.
Dr Anand Venugopal welcomed the gathering, and Dr Avinash Shetty proposed a vote of thanks. Dr Krithika Rao was the master of ceremony for the program.