Published on: August 31, 2016

Pallium India collaborated with Synod Hospital in Aizawl, Mizoram to start a palliative care service. This is Pallium India’s second project in Mizoram. Ten years ago, we had helped establish a palliative care unit in the Regional Cancer Centre in Aizawl, under the leadership of Dr Jeremy Pautu.

On the 30th of August, we helped conduct an opioid access workshop. Unlike the usual opioid access workshops that we do, here that part of the work was easy. The Drug Controller was very well-informed. There were no issues on that subject brought up during discussions, despite the background of a high incidence of addiction in Mizoram.

There was a very healthy discussion on involvement of voluntary organizations and on reaching out to the community, much of it led by Dr Jeremy Pautu, Dr Eric Zomawia of National Health Mission and Dr Sanghluna Renthlei.

We had a pleasant surprise. The health minister Lal Thanzara not only attended the meeting, but stayed on for an hour and a half. We have high hopes for Mizoram.

Thank you Dr Sanghluna for organising the event and for leading the palliative care program. Thank you Dr Lalchhanhima Ralte for connecting us with this institution in the first place and for reaching out into the community.