IMPHAL, November 19: There are many patients not only in the state who are not able to afford proper medical facility and those who can need to extend some support by all means, said State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh during the inaugural function of PALLICON 2015, an international conference on Palliative Care held today at City Convention Hall, Imphal.
In his speech, the Chief Minister said the State is giving first priority in developing medical health sector.
He said that the State government is investing 3 percent of the total GDP against the country investing only 1.02 percent of GDP in the medical health sector.
As proposed by the president of Palliative Care Society, Imphal Dr Kh Palin to institute one Palliative Care Institution and to expand such institutions to the district level, the Chief Minister suggested giving priority to the remote places of the State.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam as guest of honour of the inaugural function said that it is one big opportunity for the State to be able to conduct such conference on Palliative care at the National level.
Palliative care is an approach to improve the quality of life of patients facing the problem associated with life threatening illness, he said.
Gaikhangam said that since this is first of its kind, the conference representing resource persons from around the globe will bring great impact to the people of the state.
The inaugural function of the PALLICON 2015 was attended by delegates from across the nation and abroad and also attended by Technical Adviser, WHO Collaborative Centre, Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode, Kerala Dr Suresh Kumar and president Palliative Care Society, Imphal Dr Kh Palin as Guest of Honour and President respectively.