from Divvy Kant Upadhyay (NR)
for Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (GA)

Mangalore, Jun 11: "In India more than 80 lac people suffer from diseases which are not easily curable like Advanced Cancer, Diabetes Mellitus, kidney and lung diseases, neurological diseases and AIDS.  Majority of these patients suffer from severe pain apart from emotional, psychological, social and spiritual problems." said expert consultant on palliative care, Dr Mallika Tiruvadanan of the Laxmi Pain and Palliative Care Clinic of Chennai. 

Dr Mallika was speaking at the programme on 'Introduction and Role of volunteers in Pain and Palliative Care' organized by the Department of Pain and Palliative Care Medicine at the Kasturba Medical College, Attavar in association with Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizataion of the district. 

"Palliative care is the Active Total Care (ATC) given to all those who suffer from long-standing illnesses and life-limiting diseases and attends to the 'Total' suffering of patient and family" explained Dr Mallika stressing that the main aim of palliative care is to alleviate pain and to improve quality of life. 

"The palliative care could be provided at a place of the patients' choice, be it the home or the hospital", she highlighted.

Dr Ambareesha, professor of anaesthesiology was the other resource person who highlighted the role that volunteers could play in this field. Dean Prof CV Raghuveer presided over the function. 

Dr Mallika Tiruvadanan is a visiting adjunct professor and can be consulted once in every month at KMC Hospital Attavar(2445858). The 24-hour helpline number of the Pain Clinic at the hospital is 9845333006.