Udupi: Lombard Hospital observes World Hospice and Palliative Care Day

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, October 15, 2023: The renowned CSI Lombard Memorial (Mission) Hospital, Udupi, observed World Hospice and Palliative Care Day at its Vatsalya Palliative Care Unit premises on Saturday, October 14th, at 4 p.m. The programme was organised in association with the Giants Welfare Foundation, Brahmavar, and Lions Club. Suvarna Enterprises proprietor Madhusudhan Heroor, Jagadish Acharya of Lions Club, Giants Group Brahmavar chairman Milton Olivera, secretary Vivek Naik, hospital senior physician Dr. Ganesh Kamath, and others were present on the occasion. Dr. Sushil Jathanna, Director of Lombard Memorial (Mission) Hospital, presided over the function.

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Sushil Jathanna said that the concept of palliative care as a specialized discipline was first initiated by Cicely Saunders in 1964. Deeply moved by the death of her father and other loved ones due to terminal illness, she started the St. Christopher Hospice in London, which in turn resulted in the hospice movement. “Cicely Saunders saw the pain and difficulties faced by the people at the end of their lives. In India, the first palliative care unit called Shanti Avedna Sadan was started in Mumbai in 1986 by a young cancer surgeon, Dr. L. J. DeSousa, who had visited St. Christopher Hospice and met Cicely Saunders. Today, the elderly population is seeing a dramatic increase. Very soon, about 15 percent of the Indian population will be made up of elderly people. At present, it is estimated that 80 lakh to one crore elderly people in India need palliative care. But only 1 to 2 percent of the people are getting this care. Therefore, there is a need to expand further. The government should also set up such units in the district and taluk centres,” Dr. Jathanna said.

Vatsalya Palliative Care Unit was started in April 2023, and it presently has 20 residents. The hospital plans to expand the centre in the near future, Dr. Jathanna said.

Suvarna Enterprises owner Madhusudhan Heroor observed that the service of the elderly should be considered a great honour because they are individuals who have lived and served for a long time. He appreciated the role played by Lombard Hospital, which is the oldest hospital in the district, in introducing many modern and essential services under the leadership of its director, Dr. Sushil Jathanna.

On this occasion, essential items were handed over to the residents of Vatsalya Palliative Care Unit on behalf of Lions Club Udupi, Chetana, and Giants Welfare Foundation Brahmavar. A skit depicting the benefits of palliative care was staged by nursing students.

Hema Bangera welcomed the gathering. The hospital chaplain, Rev. Rachel Amanna, rendered the invocation. The head of community services, Rohi Rathnaker, gave a vote of thanks. Veena Menezes, principal of the School of Nursing; Dr. Roshan Pais, principal of Lombard Paramedical College; and Shanthi Fernandes, nursing superintendent, were present.