NT BUZZ
Padma Shri and former dean of the Sion Hospital, Mumbai, Dr. Armida Fernandez, stressed the need for more palliative care centres in Goa and urged the government to ensure that multiple centres are set up.
Dr. Fernandez, who is also the founder of Asia’s first human milk bank, was in conversation with author Jerry Pinto, whose latest book, ‘A Good Life – the power of palliative care’ was discussed by the duo at the ongoing Goa Arts and
Literature Festival.
Dr. Fernandez, who is the founder of the Mumbai-based medical NGO Sneha, said that she decided to immerse herself in the pursuit of palliative care after she lost her only daughter to cancer.
“Both my husband and I are doctors, yet we could do nothing to reduce our daughter’s pain and suffering. I realised only later, that it was palliative care alone which could lessen the pain and suffering of terminally ill patients,” she said.
Dr. Fernandez singled out Kerala for praise, stating that palliative care and support groups for terminally ill patients was well established across this state. “We need to emulate the example of Kerala in states like Goa and across India,” she said.
Author Jerry Pinto who has profiled the work of 10 doctors working in the field of palliative care in his latest book highlighted the good work being done by Dr. Ira Almeida in Margao, South Goa.
“Dr. Ira works closely with the South Goa district hospital and has access to an ambulance and a support staff of two trained medical professionals, helping her reach terminally ill patients across South Goa,”
said Pinto.
