Media Release

Manipal, Oct 12: Kasturba Hospital organised a walkathon on eve of World hospice and Palliative care day. The event was flagged off by Dr HS Ballal, pro-chancellor, MAHE, Manipal on Saturday, October 12.

The walkathon started from Board High school, Udupi and ended at Dr TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi followed by formal program at Dr TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi.

About 1,000 doctors, students, staff members VSO volunteers and the public participated in the walkathon.

World hospice and Palliative care day marked on the second Saturday of each October, brings awareness to palliative care issues and aims to expand options worldwide. This is a unified day of action to celebrate and support palliative care around the world.

The theme of this year “My Care, My Right,” aims to communicate that quality palliative care is a fundamental human right that the public can demand for themselves, and that, together, every person impacted by a life-limiting illness can influence their policy makers to make palliative care a public health priority.

It also addresses the importance of mobilizing communities, particularly volunteers, to ensure that patient’s right to care is supported. Palliative care is a fundamental part of healthcare, and a basic human right. Each year more than 25.5 million people, including 2.5 million children die with serious physical and psychological suffering as a result of life-limiting illnesses, like cancer, organ failure, dementia, stroke, motor neuron disease, HIV, etc. Palliative care aims to ease the suffering of patients and their families diagnosed with chronic illness by relieving pain and other distressing physical symptoms, offering psychosocial support thereby improving their quality of life. Globally less than 10% who need palliative care receive it.

The chief guest of the occasion Nisha James, superintendent of Police, Udupi, described the event as "Today’s programme on World Hospice and Palliative care awareness Walkathon is beneficial for today’s generation. It is very useful for the old age people and people who are suffering from long term illness”. And appreciated Manipal for starting the Dept. and my heartfelt thanks to today’s organisers of the program. Through this program the message should reach the maximum people and I wish all the success in the venture” she added.

In his presidential address, Dr H S Ballal said: "Most people do not know about the palliative care, due to lack of information on optimal care and treatment. All people want their lives end to be happy”. "The information should be made available to the public" he requested.

Dr Poornima Baliga said, "Care is still available at the end of life, even if the disease is cured. To give the end of lifecare is the goal of the palliative care department".

Dr Sharat Kumara Rao said, "As the name implies, the palliative care unit is not just a treatment unit for cancer, but also for all the department patients who are suffering from chronic illness”.

Dr Naveen S Salins given overview about Palliative Care. Dr Parvati Bhat welcomed the gathering and Dr Avinash Shetty proposed vote of thanks. Three patients of the palliative care of Kasturba Hospital shared their experience.

Dr P L N G Rao, Pro Vice chancellor, quality assurance, MAHE, Manipal, Dr Sharath Kumar Rao, dean KMC, C G Muthana, COO, and Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, Dr Parvati V Bhat Medical Superintendent, Dr TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi, Dr Naveen S Salins, professor and head department of Palliative Medicine and supportive care and other dignitaries were present.