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Manipal, October 12th 2019: Kasturba Hospital, Manipal organised a walkathon on eve of World hospice and Palliative care day 2019. It was flagged off by Dr HS Ballal Pro Chancellor, MAHE, Manipal.

Dr Poornima Baliga B, Pro Vice chancellor, Faculty of Health Sciences MAHE, Manipal, Dr P L N G Rao, Pro Vice chancellor, Quality Assurance, MAHE, Manipal, Dr Sharath Kumar Rao, Dean KMC, Shri C G Muthana, COO, & 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.

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 1000 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.

Ms. Nisha James, Superintendent of Police, Udupi, described the event as "Today’s program 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 life care 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 gave 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.