Palliative care ‘an expression of human responsibility’, speakers tell youth
The event was held at the campus of Notre Dame University Bangladesh and brought together students, faculty members, and healthcare professionals to raise awareness about compassionate care for people with life-limiting illnesses.
Speakers at a sensitisation programme in Dhaka have underscored the need to build a humanitarian movement driven by youth participation to expand palliative care services across the country.
The event was held at the campus of Notre Dame University Bangladesh and brought together students, faculty members, and healthcare professionals to raise awareness about compassionate care for people with life-limiting illnesses.
Professor Dr Nizamuddin Ahmed, founding chairman of the Department of Palliative Medicine at Bangladesh Medical University, delivered the keynote address, stressing that healthcare must go beyond clinical treatment to embrace empathy and dignity.
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"Palliative care is not merely a medical approach; it is an expression of human responsibility," he said, urging greater awareness among young people so they can foster a culture of compassion within families and society.
He also noted that palliative care services remain limited in Bangladesh compared with global needs and called for their structured expansion nationwide.
The programme was jointly organised by the Palliative Care Society of Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Notre Dame Alumni of North America, with support from the university authorities.
Vice-Chancellor Father Patrick Gaffney, who chaired the session, explained the concept of palliative care in accessible terms and called for stronger student engagement in promoting awareness.
Professor Dr Sanjida Shaharia highlighted the importance of community involvement, saying students – often the most dynamic members of society – can advance palliative care through awareness-building, empathy, and voluntary initiatives.
Dr Mohammad Nakibuddin, a physician-researcher at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, shared real-life experiences and discussed how families and educational institutions can integrate palliative practices, emphasising compassion, respect, and emotional support in reducing suffering.
An interactive question-and-answer session followed, with active participation from students and teachers.
At the conclusion of the programme, Brother Subal Rosario proposed launching a palliative care club at the university, and the authorities agreed to incorporate the subject into student-led club activities.
