Media Release

Mangalore, Aug 22: Palliative care is an approach which improves patient comfort thus improving the quality of life not only of patients but also their families facing the problem associated with life threatening illness. The focus is on prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems- physical, psycho-social and spiritual.

Dr Jochen Becker, CEO, MediAcion, Germany, an expert on palliative care (Shaamaka Aaraike) and Alzheimer's disease (Marevu Roga) spoke on the subject. He enlightened the doctors and other professionals gathered at KMC Medical Education Hall, Light House Hill.

Dr Prabha Adhikari, head, Geriatrics, KMC organized the training programme. The 20 day certificate programme is a joint venture of Manipal University and MEDIACION Germany. This is the first ever course of palliative care with specialization in Geriatrics in India.

Er Jerardin D'souza, founder director, MAA, Mangalore Alzheimer's Association, was actively involved in creating awareness on palliative care and Alzheimer's and inviting people from all the sections of the society to gain knowledge on this less known subject. He interacted with the media in an effort to create social awareness.

Lions governor designate Lion Arun Shetty actively participated in the programme.

Dr Surendra Shetty, pro vice-chancellor of Manipal University, Dr Jochen Becker, Dr M V Prabhu, dean, KMC, Dr Raghavendra Bhat, HOD, Medicene, Dr Prabha Adhikari and Er Jerardin D'souza lit the lamp and inaugurated this very important humane programme.

Dr Becker spoke about the difference in palliative care in India and Germany and wanted to teach various methods to handle the suffering people.

"The doctors need to have a spiritual way of dealing with the terminally ill people. Palliative care intends neither to hasten or postpone death, but definitely adds life to years if not years to life," said Dr Becker.

"Though Germany spends 16% on health and India only 3%, the standard in health care is only twice better than India," he added.

Rest of the guests also spoke of the need to develop ways of having better palliative care. India's need to provide advanced palliative care was stressed.

Dr Prathiba meaningfully compered the programme.

The training will be conducted for twenty days.