SVIMS starts palliative medicine foundation course

Tirupati: The Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) commenced the foundation course in palliative medicine here on Wednesday. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Executive Officer A.V. Dharma Reddy inaugurated the ten-day workshop of the foundation course.

Speaking on the occasion, the TTD EO said, “Palliative medicine is an approach that focuses on improving the quality of life of patients associated with life-threatening illnesses, especially those suffering from cancer, by imparting training not only physically and psychosocially but also by spiritual means.” Even the near and dear of the patients will also be trained to overcome the trauma during this 10-day workshop, he added.

The first day of the 10-day foundation course saw the participation of delegates comprising physicians, nurses, counsellors, and social workers. The foundation course included different modules, and each module will be covered by experts in those areas. The guest speakers for the foundation course have come from the Homi Bhabha Cancer Institute, the Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences, and Pallium India. SVIMS director Dr. B. Vengamma, Incharge Vice Chancellor of SV Vedic University Rani Sadasiva Murthy, doctors, medical students, and others were also present.