Published on: July 27, 2015

22 “middle level” palliative care professionals from various parts of the country got together at Trivandrum from the 2^nd to 4^th of July for a workshop on palliative care in India. Dr Nandini Vallath and Dr M C Rajashree joined local faculty to serve them an academic feast. The aim: to strengthen a corps of facilitators to advance palliative care in India. In addition to developing skills in facilitating learning, the group discussed and understood the nuances and the current status of India’s National Program in Palliative Care (NPPC) and the recent amendment of the NDPS Act which has the potential to improve opioid access in the country. Pallium India has renewed confidence – in having this strong workforce to carry the movement forward.

Here are some pieces of feedback from the participants.

“One of the most memorable teaching experience was how to streamline the practices – ensuring opioid availability, sensitizing and how to sensitize the people and healthcare professionals alike, ways to facilitate learning, generating funds and to utilize them effectively”.

“Left to myself, my goals were limited and modest, confined to my city and surroundings. But you made us think beyond, bringing in to focus the magnitude of the problem.”

“To witness the passion for palliative care among everybody and especially some of them who expressed their deep concerns – It triggers that drive within you to set forth to achieve your goal despite all obstacles”.