Media Release

Mangaluru, Aug 29: "At Kidwai Oncology Hospital I used to hardly spend two to three minutes with the cancer patients, where actually more care and time needed to be spent. So huge was the rush. Now with these palliative care trained nurses and doctors we can spend more time with terminally ill patients and their families and create a more comfortable atmosphere," said Dr Vijay Kumar, vice chancellor of Yenepoya University, inaugurating the certification program of palliative care course.

A twenty day palliative care course was conducted which was split into four sessions of five days each over a period of six months in association with MediAcion- Germany. Dr Jochen Becker-Ebel-CEO-MediAcion conducted the course with his brilliant experience and hands on techniques like psycho drama etc.

Dr Asha Shetty, the principal of Yenepoya Nursing College, with the support of the management organized this course for nursing staff and few doctors. She was the chief coordinator.

Dr Asha Shetty and Sr Vineetha Jacob had qualified in palliative care course which was conducted for the first time in India at KMC, Mangaluru.

Jerardin D'Souza-founder director-MAA-Mangalore Alzheimer's Association was guest of honour as he too had undergone the palliative care course at KMC. He said,"Just learning new courses and techniques alone won't be sufficient, the public at large should be made aware of the facilities available by making use of media, both visual, internet and print." He appreciated Dr Asha Shetty, the principal's leadership in organizing this very useful and caring course.

He appealed to the students to visit the MAA page on Facebook and use the social media for productive purpose and create awareness.

Dr Jochen Becker was very appreciative of Jerardin D'Souza's role in creating huge awareness by using media.
Dr Asha Shetty too was thankful for the support extended by Jerardin and MAA.

The program started by Dr Siddique reciting a prayer. Imran welcomed the gathering. Benzeera compered the program.

Dr Jochen in his address said that each student has undergone transformation after the palliative care course and asked a few students to explain their experience. The nursing students were very confident and caring when they explained the insights they gained by undergoing the course. Lolita D'Souza, principal of SCS College of Nursing and Anitha D'Souza were the two freshly trained palliative care students who shared their insights.

Dr Gayathri Bhat, anesthesiologist, a resource person and also a qualified palliative care expert attended the function and interacted with the vice chancellor.

Prof KP Jayarajan, controller of exams,and Mohd Bawa, finance officer were on the dais.

Dr Arun A B, Dy director, Yenepoya Research Centre, principal of the physiotherapy college, prof Padma Kumar, were among the guests.

Dr Asha Shetty, principal, Yenepoya Nursing College and course coordinator was spontaneous and thankful to everyone who helped in making the palliative care course a meaningful success.

There was an intense discussion where the vice chancellor Dr Vijay Kumar earnestly shared his thirty one years of rich experience with the guests- Jerardin D'Souza, Dr Arun A B, prof K P Jayarajan, Dr Gayathri Bhat, Dr Asha Shetty and Dr Jochen Becker.

A course of this nature will go a long way in helping both the patients, their families and the nursing staff in being more humane in handling terminal illnesses.