This story is from July 30, 2016

Palliative care: Kidwai to start Karnataka's 1st MD course

Karnataka is all set to get its first MD course in palliative care from the next academic year following the introduction of the state's palliative care policy in a few days.
Palliative care: Kidwai to start Karnataka's 1st MD course
(Representative Image)
Bengaluru: Karnataka is all set to get its first MD course in palliative care from the next academic year following the introduction of the state's palliative care policy in a few days. The three-year course at the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) will run at the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology here.
After Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai and All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, Kidwai hospital will be the third institution to offer MD in palliative medicine.

"This course has been included in the schedule of the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000 by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Students trained in palliative care will be able to treat cancer patients and those with non-malignant conditions like chronic renal disorders, HIV, AIDS, chronic neurological problems and those with cerebra-vascular accidents and dementia. The course will be taught as per the curriculum developed by RGUHS," said Dr KB Lingegowda, director, professor and head of the department of palliative medicine, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KIMO).
The faculty at Kidwai's department of palliative medicine will be in charge of the new course, including one professor, one associate professor and assistant associate professor.
"The number of seats will be determined by MCI after assessing the facilities available in the institute. It is proposed to admit four students if approved by MCI. The eligibility criteria, as laid down by RGUHS, for admission to this course is an MBBS. Students will be given hands-on training including providing palliative care," Lingegowda said.
Stressing the importance of a special course on palliative medicine, Dr Lingegowda said: "It is emerging as a frontier subject in medicine. About 80% of KMIO patients come in at an advanced stage of the disease making palliative care essential for improving their quality of life.
"With the introduction of this course, more trained medical personnel will be available to treat terminally ill patients and those suffering from chronic conditions based on the module developed by the health department. Once the palliative care policy is implemented, the requirement of trained medical personnel will be met by the institution," Lingegowda added.
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