NT Reporter
Sankhali
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has emphasised the need for compassionate care for the elderly and chronically ill, stating that such compassion is a true measure of a society’s progress.
Sawant was speaking at the inauguration of a one-day national conference on palliative care, organised by the NAPCAM Goa Chapter at the Sai Nursing Institute in Sankhali.
The conference, themed ‘Achieving the Promise of Universal Access to Palliative Care,’ brought together around 400 delegates from Goa and across the country to discuss strategies for providing holistic, compassionate care to patients with chronic and terminal illnesses.
Sawant highlighted the Goa government’s commitment to integrating modern medicine with Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Yogic science for a comprehensive treatment approach.
Under the state’s palliative care policy, registered institutions running such centres are eligible for financial assistance of Rs 2.5 lakh.
“It is essential to ensure that patients, especially the elderly and terminally ill, feel a sense of belonging and do not suffer alone,” the Chief Minister said. “Organised, holistic efforts by doctors, nurses, caregivers, and society at large are crucial in reducing their pain and improving quality of life.”
He noted that Goa has already initiated counseling services for the elderly and chronically ill and stressed the importance of emotional support alongside medical care. Sawant also said that sharing knowledge and innovative ideas through such conferences will help strengthen modern and compassionate care systems.
Dignitaries present on the occasion included Dr Santosh Ujgaonkar, president of Padmini Education Society; Pandurang Kurti Kar; Santosh Malik; Dr Vallabh Dhaymodkar; Dr Sneha Bhagwat; Aditi Sawant; Dr Dattaram Desai; Dr Geeta Joshi; and Sulakshana Sawant.
Expert doctors from across India shared insights into pain management, mental health care for terminal patients, and the integration of new therapeutic approaches focused on comfort and dignity in end-of-life care.
