ZCZC
BSS-49
HOSPICE-PALLIATIVE-CARE-DAY
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on October 12
DHAKA, Oct 10, 2019 (BSS) – The ‘World Hospice and Palliative Care Day-
2019’will be celebrated in Bangladesh like elsewhere across the world on
October 12.
This year, the theme of the day is “My Care, My Right”.
“Palliative care is a science-driven attempt to reduce the suffering of
marginalized people having untreatable diseases and their families … Every
person, including the people ineligible for healing or suffering from deadly
diseases also have the right to proper medication and care”, said Vice
Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Professor
Kanak Kanti Barua today.
He was addressing as chief guest at a meeting with the press at Dr Milon
Hall of BSMMU, said a release issued here.
Terming the care service as great and humane, Dr Barua said that the aim
to celebrate the day is to create and increase the awareness among people.
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research & Development) of BSMMU Prof Dr. Md.
Shahidullah Sikder, Registrar Prof ABM Abdul Hannan, Proctor Prof Syed
Mozaffar Ahmed, former chairman of BSMMU Palliative Care Medicine Prof
Nezamuddin Ahmed and renowned cultural personality Sharmin Lucky were also
present at the meeting.
The meeting was informed that a total of 2.5 crores of people around the
world including more than 6 lakh people from Bangladesh need palliative care
during their last days.
Palliative care is one of the major components in achieving the universal
health threshold (UHC) mentioned in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
3.8, added the release.
BSMMU’s Center for Palliative Care has been providing this service since
2008, including services to the public at the community level in Korail and
Narayanganj.
To observe the day on Saturday, a discussion will be held at BSMMU’s A-
block Auditorium with the VC as the chief guest.
The discussion will be presided over by the Dean of Medicine Faculty and
chairman in-charge of Palliative Medicine Department Dr Md Zilan Miah Sarker.
Hospice and Palliative care provides relief from pain and other
distressing symptoms during non-terminal and terminal illness of a patient,
and integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of care.
It offers a support system to help patients’ families cope with the
illness of their loved ones.
Celebrated annually on the second Saturday in October, World Hospice and
Palliative Care Day is a unified day of action, to celebrate and support
hospice and palliative care around the world.
BSS/PR/RQ/AS/1930 HRS