The Department of Pain and Palliative Care, Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute hosted the celebration of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on October 14, 2023. Keeping in mind, this year’s theme, the department invited patients and family members of deceased patients to grace the occasion and share their experiences of the palliative care services that they had received from the department. The event garnered an audience of 150 people.
The event also included illuminating speeches by Dr. R. V. Prabhakar Rao (CEO), Dr. T. Subramanyeshwar Rao (Medical Director), Dr. Santa and Dr. Krishna Mohan (Senior Medical Oncologists) who talked about the need to increase awareness about palliative care in grass root level. Dr. Nikhil (HOD – Physiotherapy) talked about the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach towards patient care in a palliative setting. Dr. Basanth Kumar Rayani (HOD, Onco-Anaesthesia and Pain and Palliative Care) spoke about the journey of the department and shed light on the need for increased volunteering system to spread awareness on Palliative care throughout the state, taking the Kerala model as an example.
The event was concluded with the Vote of Thanks offered by Dr. Praneeth Suvvari and Dr. Praveen Kumar Kodisharapu (Consultants, Pain and Palliative Care). The occasion was orchestrated with the help of the entire department including two consultants, six resident doctors, a social worker, a psychologist and the nursing staff.