PANAJI
Dr Armida Fernandez, a Padma Shri awardee and former dean of Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, on Friday stressed that Goa urgently needs more palliative care centres. She urged the government to set up multiple facilities across the state so that terminally ill patients can receive better support.
Fernandez was speaking at the 14th Goa Arts and Literature Festival at International Centre Goa. She was in conversation with noted writer Jerry Pinto, whose recent book A Good Life “ The Power of Palliative Care formed the basis of the discussion.
Founder of the Mumbai-based medical NGO Sneha, Fernandez said she turned to palliative care after the death of her only daughter from cancer. “Both my husband and I are doctors, yet we could do nothing to reduce our daughter’s pain and suffering. I realised later that palliative care alone could help lessen such suffering for those with terminal illness,” she said.
Fernandez praised Kerala, noting that the state has a strong network of palliative care services and community support groups. She said Goa and other parts of India should follow that model.
Pinto, who has written about ten doctors working in this field, highlighted the work of Ira Almeida in Margao. He said she works with the South Goa district hospital and, with an ambulance and trained staff, reaches patients across the district.
