Mangaluru: The first ever Palliative Care Course in Geriatrics, in India, spread over months from August 2014 to February 2015 ended with a meaningful Valedictory Function at Medical Education Hall, KMC, Mangaluru. This Palliative ‘End of Life Care’ course was the initiative of Dr Prabha Adhikari, Head, TMA Pai Endowment Chair for Geriatrics.In association with MediAcion, Germany and Manipal University.
Dr Jochen Becker, CEO, MediAcion, was the dynamo who directed this course. This first batch comprised mostly of MD doctors, Principals of Nursing Institute, physiotherapist , all related to the medical field. Er. Jerardin D’souza, Founder Director, Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association-MAA, was the only non-medical person , who by way of his active involvement in Alzheimer’s, mostly suffered by old people [geriatric] gained insight by attending. He also shared his insight into Media awareness to reach out to society. Dr.Becker interviewed him in context of starting a Hospice at Bangalore by Dr Sr Helen. The medical professionals were exposed to the ways of interacting with the media to reach a larger section of society.
The First Palliative Care batch had twenty students. The valedictory function was attended by luminaries of the medical field. Dr.M.V.Prabhu, Dean-KMC,Mangalore, Prof. Dr Chakrapani M., Dr N Udupa, Director-Research, Manipal University. and a host of other dignitaries. A car mechanic once asked a heart surgeon ” You and I do the same work, I repair engines, replace valves and set it right, why is that you are paid hugely and I, just a little .?. Smiling the Surgeon whispered in the mechanics ears ‘ Try doing it when the engine is running”. was how the Dean Dr M V Prabhu inaugurated the Valedictory function. There was a demonstration of the techniques learnt in the course by the learned students sitting in different chairs to indicate before and after the course.
Dr.Anand Amballi, Geriatric specialist from Bijapur shared his insight gained from attending this 20 day mind altering course. Dr Veena Pinto, Associate Professor, Fr. Mullers Hospital too shared her experience before and after under going the Palliative Care Course. Dr.Gayatri Bhat, Dr Mahesh Padayana, Dr Abul Fazil, Dr Meenakshi Shetty, Principal Asha Shetty, Dr Pratibha, Shyam, Er. Jerardin D’Souza and many shared the difference that this exceptional course made to their approach in dealing with situations. Dr Prabha Adhikari, shared her experience in organizing the first ever course and thanked the people who helped her overcome hurdles.
An Android App for measuring the geriatric condition was launched. This was devised by Dr Prabha Adhikari, Dr SheetalRaj, and Dr Sudhaker Upadhaya. The laptop application was developed by Priya Raghuveer, an engineer of MIT. Certificates of the Course were awarded by Dr Jochen Becker , Dr M V Prabhu, Dr Chakrapani and Dr Udupa, to all the qualified participants. The course was enriched by the exposure to music therapy using ‘Body Tambura’ by the expert Dr.Cordula Dietrich, and Drama therapist Laura Kholase, Germany.
Dr Jincy George and Dr Sheetal Raj compered the meaningful program.
