Mysore/Mysuru: As part of Senior Citizens Day, a Palliative Care initiative coupled with an awareness programme on Government facilities and benefits for seniors, was held at PKTB Sanatorium on KRS Road here on Saturday.

The programme was jointly organised by the Health and Family Welfare Department, MMC&RI and Saragur’s Swami Vivekananda Institute.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. K.H. Prasad said that Palliative Care Centres have been set up by the Government in association with a few voluntary organisations. Pointing out that these centres will help lessen the pain of patients suffering from cancer, stroke and HIV, he said that the centres will also act as care centres of senior citizens suffering from various ailments.

Maintaining that measures have been taken to treat the elderly, he said that spiritualism too is being given importance at these centres. Noting that the Palliative Care Centre has 20 beds at present, Dr. Prasad said that doctors, nurses and counsellors have been deputed to take care of the elderly.

This apart, the elderly will be sensitised on Government facilities and benefits under various schemes, he said adding that spiritualism as per religious practices of different faiths too will be part of comforting the elderly. Counselling and contact services are also available in this programme, he added.

Earlier, an awareness jatha was taken out by students of various Nursing Colleges in city. The rally, which commenced from ED Hospital on KRS Road, passed through various localities, before culminating at PKTB Sanatorium.

Saragur Vivekananda Memorial Hospital Surgeon Dr. M.R. Seetharam, Health and Family Welfare Joint Director Dr. Rajeshwari, District Surveillance Officer Dr. N. Mahadevaprasad, PKTB Sanatorium Medical Superintendent Dr. C. Prashanth, Senior Citizens Welfare Officer Malathi, Rotary District Governor Rtn. N. Prakash Karanth, Rotary North President Rtn. Dr. S.H. Jagadish and others were present.