Pics: Nithin Pereira
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Oct 26: Kasturba Hospital Manipal organized a walk for "Palliative Care Awareness' on Saturday, October 26 to commemorate World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2024. The event began at Government Board High School and concluded at T M A Pai Hospital.
The walk was flagged off by Sridhar Ganesan, station head at Adani Power Limited, and Sharath Kumar Rao, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Health Sciences at MAHE Manipal. Participants rallied under the slogans “We walk for palliative care” and “My care is My right.”
Dr K Vidyakumar, Deputy Commissioner of Udupi district, emphasised the importance of pain management in palliative care, stating, “It is hard to see patients suffering in their last stages. In the palliative care centre, they receive pain relief and treatment. I wish for the centre to open for patients as soon as possible.”
Nadoja G Shankar, founder of the G Shankar Family Trust, highlighted the impact of cancer on families: “When someone suffers from cancer, the entire family suffers. The cancer centre provides essential support, instilling confidence in patients to fight the disease. The work of Kasturba Hospital is commendable.”
Sharath Kumar Rao shared insights from a visit to Karunashraya in Bengaluru, which inspired plans for a palliative care centre in Manipal. He noted, “The plan was initiated when we visited Karunashraya in Bengaluru. When the family was helpless, they admitted the patient there for peaceful last days. We initially proposed 50 beds, but Dr. Ranjan encouraged us to expand to 100, making us the second-largest provider in India. Udupi district should lead in offering this vital service to the elderly.”
Sridhar Ganesan remarked, “When people think of Manipal, they think of education and healthcare. Providing free care for those in the last stages of life is a significant initiative.”
The event featured personal experiences shared by Prabhakar regarding palliative care at Kasturba Hospital. Dr Sharath Kumar Rao unveiled the new palliative centre project, while Dr Naveen Salins, assistant dean, provided an overview of the event. Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent of Kasturba Hospital Manipal, welcomed the gathering, and Dr Shashikiran Umakanth, medical Superintendent of T M A Pai Hospital, delivered the vote of thanks. The ceremony was skillfully conducted by Dr Krithika Rao.