In observance of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2024, a discussion meeting was held in Narayanganj to raise public awareness and support for palliative care. The theme of this year’s observance is “Ten Years Since the Resolution: How are we doing?” The meeting was jointly organized by Narayanganj City Corporation and AYAT Education under the “Compassionate Narayanganj” project. It took place on Wednesday, November 6, at 12:00 PM, at the Narayanganj City Corporation’s conference room. A.H.M. Kamruzzaman, the Administrator of Narayanganj City Corporation, attended as the Chief Guest.
The session was presided over by Laila Karim, Project Director of AYAT Education, with Project Coordinator Sumit Banik acting as the moderator. Special guests included Mohammad Zakir Hussain, Chief Executive Officer of Narayanganj City Corporation; Md. Nur Kutubul Alam, Secretary (Deputy Secretary); and Dr. A.F.M. Mushiur Rahman, Civil Surgeon of Narayanganj. Several government and non-government officials were also in attendance. Dr. Md. Ashraf Uddin Ahmed, Associate Professor and Palliative Care Specialist from BIRDEM General Hospital, presented on palliative care.
At the end of the event, tokens of appreciation were awarded to the City Corporation Administrator and the Civil Surgeon by the Compassionate Narayanganj project team, while certificates were given to 25 volunteers in recognition of their contributions.
The primary aim of this meeting was to raise awareness of the importance of palliative care for people with incurable illnesses and their families, especially among the youth and diverse segments of society. Additionally, the meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress, achievements, and limitations in palliative care services in the country, aligning with this year’s theme.
As highlighted in the meeting, nearly 700,000 people in Bangladesh are in need of palliative care. With changing population demographics, the demand for this service is expected to rise, emphasizing the need for greater involvement from both society and the state. Hospice and palliative care aim to provide holistic support — physical, emotional, and spiritual — to patients with life-limiting illnesses, such as cancer, and to their families.
Attendees called for palliative care to be considered a social movement rather than just a medical service. They emphasized the need for government and non-governmental initiatives to spread awareness and incorporate palliative care within health services.
It’s worth noting that the “Compassionate Narayanganj” pilot project, spanning three years, aims to integrate palliative care into primary healthcare. Its mission is to provide essential care to those with incurable and life-limiting illnesses, ensuring a pain-free and secure end-of-life experience. The project also seeks to improve the quality of life by addressing the physical, mental, social, and spiritual suffering of patients and their families.
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