Published on: December 31, 2012

Pallium India considers it a privilege to have had the chance to partner with the UK Government Department for International Development (DFID)’s Tropical Health and Education Trust (THET) and with the Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre (SGCC&RI) at Thakurpukur, Kolkata on a mission to improve access to palliative care in North East India. Pallium India was already in agreement with this cancer center to work together towards establishment of a palliative care training centre there.

Pallium India joined Dr Sankha Mitra who spear-heads the DFID-THET program in Kolkata and the local organization to conduct a four day educational program on palliative care. Several health care professionals from the UK – Phil Cotterell, Lyn Phippen, Liz Watso and others – had come to teach at the program which catered to about 150 health care professionals – doctors, nurses, social workers and others.

The partners are going to work together to conduct six weeks certificate courses in Palliative Care there. One of them, Dr Kiran Sharma, is going to stay on for a while to start the first such course and to teach at it. Visiting Pallium India faculty will join Dr Rakesh Roy and other members of the local team not only to make this course a success, but will also facilitate development of palliative care centres in the region.

Pallium India gratefully acknowledges the support from JivDaya Foundation for funding a project officer who has done excellent work in advocacy in the region.