Annual Memorial Service at Bangalore Baptist Hospital

Commemorating World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2019

To commemorate World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, Bangalore Baptist Hospital conducted a memorial service on Friday, 11th October 2019. This event is conducted annually to remember patients who passed away in the past year under the care of the hospital’s Palliative Care Department. About 200 people attended the program, including family members both from the city as well as villages from Bangalore North rural district.

This year, the chief guest was Dr. Atreyi Ganguli, National Professional Officer and focal point for healthy ageing and palliative care, World Health Organisation, India. The other special guests included Dr. Rangaswamy, Deputy Director, NCD Cell, Department of Health, Government of Karnataka and Mr. Thomas Varughese representing Kurian Foundation, which supports the Rural Palliative Care project in the hospital.

In her address, Dr. Atreyi spoke of the great need in the country for awareness regarding palliative care and good palliative and end of life care services.

Several family members shared their experiences of caring for their loved ones while appreciating the care given by our Palliative Care Team. Special guest Reverend Panneer Williams spoke an encouraging message of comfort and hope for all.

The service ended with a candle-lighting by family members in memory of their loved ones, which was emotionally charged. Many expressed how the service helped them cope with their grief and enabled closure to some extent.

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