But, not just another book on Palliative Care!

Palliative Cancer Care: Our perspective

Dr Dinesh Chandra Goswami, the palliative care pioneer from Guwahati Pain and Palliative Care Society, Assam, India, has published a book, “Palliative Cancer Care: Our perspective”.

And before anyone says to oneself, “Oh, yet another book on palliative care?”, let me add that this book is special.

It is special because it has such strong roots in India. It certainly draws on what the West has learnt and taught on palliative care, but has a solid foundation built on experiences on Indian soil.

Looking at it superficially, you will notice that the book is bilingual – with English as well as an Assamese version.

When you look deeper, you will also find an all-pervading air of spirituality. I am sure many would find the sections on Yoga and Self-Awareness interesting.

This is not a textbook on Palliative Care. It is a collection of essays from the author, translated into English by his wife Mandira Sarma.

Published by Lakshmi Prakashan, Mathura Nagar, Guwahati, 781 006, India. Contact Dr Goswami at: goswamidcg [at] gmail.com

- This news was also published in the IAHPC’s September newsletter

The Regional Cancer Center (RCC) at Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute has created a full time position in Palliative Care.

Dr Kabindra Bhagawati has been appointed as a palliative care physician in that position.

The relevance of this cannot be underestimated.

Dr Goswami

Dr Bhagawati

In Assam, as in the rest of the country, Palliative Care started as a charitable activity. Dr Dinesh Chandra Goswami founded the Guwahati Pain and Palliative Care Society (GPPCS) in May 1999. Since then, GPPCS has been providing palliative care to the patients in the RCC.

One major weakness of the whole palliative care movement in the country has been that integration with mainstream medicine has been poor. But this development in Guwahati is encouraging.

Kabindra underwent a Basic Certificate Course in Palliative Care from Calicut in 1999 and a Diploma in Palliative Medicine from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia.

Congratulations, Kabindra and Dinesh! And thank you from all of us for your hard work and commitment that made all this possible.