PANAJI: Indian Medical Association Ponda and Goa state joined hands with The Goa Cancer Society and with support from Directorate of Health Services organised a one-day workshop on ‘Basics in Palliative Care’ for nurses, paramedics, social workers and volunteers at sub-district hospital, Ponda and a continuing medical education (CME) programme on ‘essentials of palliative care’ in Panaji for doctors, NGOs and stakeholders, recently.
IMA Ponda Charitable Trust has constructed DILASA – a palliative care centre for providing end of life care in terms of palliative medicine and pain management. This centre will be operational in few months’ time.
Dr Narayan Usgaonkar, chairman and Dr Vallabh Dhaimodker, secretary trust, Dr Suresh Shetye -vice president, Dr Damodar Bhonsule, secretary and Dr Shekhar Salkar, joint secretary – The Goa Cancer Society addressed the media regarding the project, functioning of DILASA, role of The Goa Cancer Society and running of the institution. The workshop cum training programme at district hospital was inaugurated by advocate Narendra Sawaikar, South Goa MP and released the bulletin edited by Dr Sitakant Ghanekar. Dr Nutan Dev, health officer, district hospital Ponda, Dr Kalpana Chodankar, secretary-IMA Goa state, Sangeeta Chawan-administrative officer, Goa Cancer Society was the guest of honour. Dr Narayan Usgaonkar, Dr Vallabh Dhaimodker, Dr Ajay Pednekar, Dr Sandeep Naik and Dr Sarvesh Dubhashi deliberated on the occasion.
Dr Ajay Pednekar was master of ceremony and Dr Sitakant Ghanekar was officer of the day.
Dr Linge Gowda gave talk on principles of Palliative Care and Opioid Therapy and principles of administration. Dr Geeta Joshi gave talk on pain – assessment and treatment. Dr Priyadarshini Kulkarni gave talk on importance of symptoms management and roles of nurses in hospice and home care. Dr Geeta Joshi gave a talk on art of nursing.
While the CME programme at Hotel Fidalgo was inaugurated at the hands of Siddharth Kunkolienkar, Panaji MLA, who was the chief guest, Dr Pradeep Naik, Dean, Goa Medical College was guest of honor. Dr Ajay Pednekar, welcomed the gathering, Dr Santosh Usgaonkar briefed regarding DILASA project. Dr Pradeep Naik, in his address, appreciated the efforts of IMA Ponda and complimented. Dr Medha Salkar-president, IMA Goa state also appreciated and congratulated IMA Ponda.
Shrinivas Dempo, president, The Goa Cancer Society and chairman, Dempo Group, expressed satisfaction over The Goa Cancer Society – IMA Ponda Charitable Trust relationship and signing of agreement to carry forward DILASA activities jointly. Dempo has shown his willingness to associate Dempo Group with DILASA. Dr Sarvesh Dubhashi, treasurer, IMA Ponda proposed the vote of thanks.
Dr Dhaimodker was master of ceremony and Dr Sandeep Naik and Dr Sarvesh Dubhashi were officers of the day.
Dr Linge Gowda gave talk on ‘Alternative Therapies in Palliative Care and Palliative’ and ‘Palliative Care Policy in Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra.’
Dr Geeta Joshi gave talk on ‘Good Death – Patient’s Right’ and ‘Morphine – Myths and Evidence Based Facts’.
Dr Priyadarshini Kulkarni gave talk on ‘Palliative Medicine in Health Care and ‘Charitable Institutions and Palliative Care – an Experience.’
Col Dr Yashavant Joshi gave talk on ‘Communication Skills and Medical Profession.’