Published on: October 13, 2014

We really had a heartwarming Palliative Care Day at Trivandrum. The media made our day. Two articles appeared in the editorial pages of two very popular Malayalam newspapers, Kerala Kaumudi and Mathrubhumi. In Kerala Kaumudi, the author describes his own journey as a medical student who is systematically forced into an emotional detachment from human suffering, palliative care helping him to overcome that, and why palliative care education is essential for all medical and nursing students.

In the article in Mathrubhumi, he apologises to the many people in Kerala who still die in pain, despite twenty years of palliative care activity and despite a state palliative care policy. He urges everyone to give voice to the voiceless.

Later on in the morning, the Trivandrum Press Club, under the leadership of its President, Mr. P. P. James, organized a Meet The Press program where Dr Rajagopal got the opportunity to interact with an audience of about 40 (including journalists and journalism students). The fifteen minutes that were set aside for follow-up turned into one full hour of discussion. The enthusiasm in the group was palpable. While concluding the session, Mr James asked the group whether anyone was willing to undergo a 2-day volunteers training program offered by Pallium India. About twenty hands shot up. What a gratifying day! We believe journalists are some of the most important people for purpose of advocacy, which is perhaps the greatest need in the next few years.

Please visit the following links to see some of the coverage given to palliative care on visual and print media:

Kerala Kaumudi: വേദന ചികിത്സയുടെ ബാലപാഠങ്ങൾ

Mathrubhumi: മാപ്പ്

The New Indian Express: Call to Give Due Importance to Palliative Care

Deccan Chronicle: Only one per cent of needy get palliative care

Mathrubhumi News TV: Interview with Dr Rajagopal