To increase awareness of palliative care, a networking event with media was hosted on December 26 at 11:00 AM in the conference room of Narayanganj City Corporation. AYAT Education coordinated the event as part of the Compassionate Narayanganj initiative.
The meeting was moderated by AYAT Education’s Project Coordinator Sumit Banik and presided over by M.A. Khan Mithu, Narayanganj correspondent of The Daily Ittefaq. Among the attendees were Ataur Rahman, Pranab Krishna Roy, Md. Imtiaz Ahmed, Sabit Al Hasan, Ripon Mahmud, Md. Saiful Islam, Afsana Akter, Mobassir Shraban, Saiful Islam, Jummon Sohel, and Raihan Kabir Niloy, along with other journalists from print and electronic media in Narayanganj.
The primary objective of the program was to enhance media coverage on palliative care, ensure accurate dissemination of information, and increase engagement on the topic.
In his keynote presentation, Sumit Banik said, “The media and journalists can play a vital role in creating awareness about palliative care and fostering a positive environment in society. By communicating with healthcare professionals, policymakers, and patients, you can help integrate palliative care into mainstream healthcare. Your efforts will not only raise awareness but also encourage public engagement and support for policy changes. This will pave the way for accessible and affordable palliative care for everyone. So far, 385 patients have benefited from outpatient and home care services under this project.”
M.A. Khan Mithu, correspondent of The Daily Ittefaq and the meeting’s chair, emphasized the need to expand palliative care services in Narayanganj. He stated, “The media serves as the mirror of society, and the clearer this mirror is, the better society can navigate its path. I believe the media has a significant role in promoting palliative care, not just as a healthcare service but as an essential part of enhancing dignity, compassion, and quality of life. This meeting has provided us with an opportunity to understand its importance more deeply. As journalists, we are ready to raise awareness and help create a supportive social environment for palliative care. If we work together, progress toward accessible and affordable palliative care can be accelerated.”
Field Officer Md. Hasan Hafizur Rahman of the Compassionate Narayanganj project shared, “Our services are not disease-focused but patient-centered. We are engaging people from diverse professions and backgrounds to ensure the message of our services reaches all levels of society. Enhancing quality of life during the last stages of life requires more than just medication; it needs the sincere participation and support of families and society. Journalists’ collaboration is crucial to spreading this message.”
Assistant Project Officer Sarwar Alam added, “The media’s support will significantly contribute to creating widespread awareness about palliative care. Through your efforts, accurate information can reach the public, leading to positive societal change. We hope to have your continued support in our mission to extend this compassionate service.”
Speakers at the meeting emphasized the importance of palliative care and the need to raise awareness about its services. They highlighted that palliative care is not limited to curing illnesses but also aims to improve the quality of life for patients and provide emotional, social, and spiritual support to their families. They noted that by addressing misconceptions about palliative care, it could be established as a fundamental service for marginalized communities. The networking meeting by AYAT Education and the Compassionate Narayanganj project is expected to play a pivotal role in this regard.
