December 2021
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18 years of Pallium India
Pallium India completes 18 years this month – on 15th December 2021. Join us as we celebrate our anniversary!
We thank everyone who has supported us throughout these challenging years, and stayed right beside us as we worked towards our vision of a Pain-free India. We especially thank the families that have placed their faith in us.
November was Cervical Cancer Awareness month.
The sheer prevalence of cervical cancer warrants its prioritization. Much of the global burden is in low and middle income countries (LMICs) where around 85% of cervical cancer cases occur. India has approximately 120,000 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed annually. Palliative Care is not available for 96% of women with cancer in India (Lancet commission report).
The social suffering endured by patients of cervical cancer is arguably more severe and complex than almost any other cancer, and exists within a larger, more convoluted web of intersectionality of gender, access to resources and traditional patriarchy.
Smriti Rana writes: Cervical Cancer Awareness, Prevention, Elimination
Video of the Month
This video, created by Pallium India and Faraway Originals, was screened at World Health Organization (WHO)’s program on Cervical Cancer Elimination, on November 17, 2021.
Watch the video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv8OjbNFIRw
Subscribe to Pallium India for more videos.
Subscribe to Pallium India’s youtube channel for videos related to palliative care and our activities. You can watch previous webinars and training sessions, as well as listen to caregivers, survivors and others sharing their experiences.
Narcotics law, and the medical use of opioids
Dr M R Rajagopal and Jagdish Rattanani write in Greater Kashmir:
The repeal of the three farm bills is in the headlines. A little beneath the surface and reportedly all set for the winter session of Parliament are amendments to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. These are causing some worry among medical professionals and palliative care specialists on fears that the “principle of balance” in regulating opioids will be tilted against the interests of patients suffering from intense pain.
Read more: Narcotics law, and the medical use of opioids
International Award for Excellence in Palliative Care 2021-22
CANCER AID SOCIETY invites Nominations for the “International Award for Excellence in Palliative Care”
The award is instituted by Cancer Aid Society, an Associate of United Nations Department of Global Communications, having Special Consultative Status with United Nations Economic and Social Council and Participant World Health Organizations GCM/NCD
Separate Awards shall be given under 3 different Categories:
- Doctors
- Nurses / other Paramedical
- Volunteers/ Other Individuals
Last date of application is 31st December 2021 by 24.00 Hrs IST.
Follow us on Social Media for updates
Contact us: info@palliumindia.org / 97467 45497
Upcoming Trainings & Events
Dec 6, 2021: Free Online Volunteer Training Program (VTP) in English – 5 sessions, from Monday to Friday
Jan 3, 2022: Free Online Volunteer Training Program (VTP) in മലയാളം – 5 sessions, from Monday to Friday
Jan 3, 2022: Online Foundation Course in Palliative Medicine for doctors (FCPM) – Sessions on Mon, Wed, Fri
Dec 1, 2021: World AIDS day
Dec 3, 2021: International Day of Disabled Persons (Cycle Ride
Dec 5, 2021: International Volunteer Day
Dec 10, 2021: Human Rights Day
Dec 12, 2021: Universal Health Coverage Day
Check out all upcoming trainings and important days: https://palliumindia.org/events
Contact: info@palliumindia.org
OPENINGS
PALLIUM INDIA, TRIVANDRUM
AZIM PREMJI FOUNDATION
Nurse, Bengaluru
Medical Officer, Bengaluru
EASTERN INDIA PALLIATIVE CARE
Palliative Care Physician, Kolkata
CACHAR CANCER HOSPITAL & RESEARCH CENTRE
Palliative Care Physician, Silchar
SNEHAANCHAL, NAGPUR
DILASA, GOA
VISIT OUR CAREERS PAGE:
https://palliumindia.org/category/career
In case of queries, please write to us: career@palliumindia.org
IAPCON 2022 to be held between 11 & 13 February, 2022
The 29th Conference of Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON) 2022 will be a virtual conference held between 11th and 13th February, 2022.
The theme of the conference is “Towards Excellence and Equity in Palliative care“.
There will be a pre-conference workshop on Thursday, 10th February, 2022.
Registrations are open.
Abstract Submission deadline has been extended to 15th December, 2021
For more information and to register, please visit the IAPCON website: https://iapcon2022jaipur.com/
Clinical Pediatric Palliative Medicine Fellowship
The Palliative and Supportive Care Unit at the Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children offers a one-year Clinical Pediatric Palliative Medicine Fellowship starting in January 2022. The fellowship is in collaboration with Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration and is endorsed by the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (United Kingdom).
The Fellowship is open to pediatricians only. Interested candidates may contact Dr Smriti Khanna at palliative.care@wadiahospitals.org for prospectus and further details.
Hyderabad centre for Palliative care, Hyderabad is offering one year clinical fellowship in Pediatric Palliative care. For details, please view the flyer.
Palliative Care initiative in Sikkim
Sikkim is one among the last few states in India to resolve for making opioids accessible to suffering patients within the state. Pallium India is glad to be associated with several recent palliative care initiatives in Sikkim.
Palliative Care Sensitization Program at Coimbatore
PSG Medical College, Coimbatore, and Coimbatore Cancer Foundation, in collaboration with Pallium India, organized a ‘Sensitization Program in Palliative Care’ on 19th and 20th of November, 2021.
62 participants including staff, faculty and students from PSG College of Arts and Science, PSG Hospitals, PSG College of Nursing, PSG College of Physiotherapy and Coimbatore Cancer Foundation attended the sessions.
Health-Related Suffering and Palliative Care in Breast Cancer
Article published in Current Breast Cancer Reports by Sunilkumar, M.M., Finni, C.G., Lijimol, A.S., Rajagopal MR.
Vaccination Drive
On November 1st, Pallium India team started the second phase of the Covid-19 vaccination drive for the people in our care. So far, we have vaccinated 216 beneficiaries. 52 people were vaccinated at Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences (TIPS) & 164 were community vaccinations. The program is ongoing.
Disaster Management
Pallium India team is represented in the expert committee of Kerala Government for Joint Disaster Needs Assessment (JDNA) in four severely affected floods & landslides districts. Dr. M R Rajagopal and Ms. Ashla Rani are in the external committee and Dr.Rakesh, Dr.Bindya, Ms.Reshma, Ms.Gayathri and Babu Abraham are members of the internal committee.
Palliative Care in Amritsar
Pallium India is privileged to be associated with the new hospice that has come up 25 km away from Golden Temple, Amritsar. This hospice is run by Sri Guru Ram Das Hospital Trust Amritsar, the same trust that manages the functionalities of the Golden Temple.
Nirvana by Shankar Mahadevan Academy
Shankar Mahadevan Academy introduced a free musical entertainment program called Nirvana. The 60-minute musical bonanza was an initiative to have musicians perform to people who battle life alone – living with a serious illness or coping with sheer loneliness. At the same time, they could bring out many hidden talents from many of Pallium India’s patients and caregivers through singing and fun.
Palliative Care Training for Students
We have completed SANS Pain (Students Against Needless Suffering and Pain) – SIPC (Student Initiative in Palliative Care) training on palliative care for the students of Kerala University NSS. This was done in different levels like University level, district level (Trivandrum, Kollam, Pathanamthitta & Alappuzha districts). We have trained 525 students in 4 batches.
Mental Health Professionals – who they are and what they do
Mental health is a broad and complex issue that requires different types of support or treatment.
But quite often laypeople are not quite sure what the distinction is between a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a counsellor or the various other roles involved. There are various types of professionals who provide different mental health services.
This article discusses different types of mental health professionals, their services, and how to access them.
Congratulations to CanSupport for 25 years of outstanding work in palliative care and Best wishes for many more!
In Other News…
Ageing Kerala Moves to Prioritise Care for Older Population
Kerala now has over 1500 palliative care units primarily providing home-based care, many of them run by community-based and non-governmental organisations. This approach is being replicated in other parts of the country and even abroad.
Financial toxicity in cancer care in India: a systematic review
Jeffrey Mathew Boby, Senthil Rajappa, DM, Aju Mathew, DM
In this study, the authors systematically reviewed the prevalence, determinants, and consequences of financial toxicity among patients with cancer in India. 22 studies were included in the systematic review.
Let’s talk about men’s mental health
The mental health of men and boys is often overlooked, even though it can take a significant toll on their lives. When ignored, mental health issues can affect physical health and life expectancy. Untreated mental health conditions can lead to high-risk behaviors including substance abuse, gambling and other forms of addiction. Unheeded emotional problems can also limit a man’s ability to fully function in society and within his family.
Don’t just talk
In the beginning, we even had patients who told us they no longer wanted our services, if we could not help them financially. Some poor caregivers told us, what’s the use of you just talking? You are not helping us in any way. Pouruchisti Wadia writes:
Patients and families from anywhere in India can call Pallium India’s Telehealth helpline. Health care professionals who need advice on palliative care or pain management can call this number.
The service is FREE and available in English, Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil.
Our lines are open from Monday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4pm
Call: +91 860 688 4889
In case of queries, please write to us: info@palliumindia.org
Pallium India maintains a state-wise directory of institutions offering palliative care services in India. The list includes palliative care providers from community-based organisations to tertiary care institutions and cancer care centers.
The directory covers critical information like contact details including phone numbers and email addresses, availability of In-patient, Out-patient and home care services, availability of morphine, etc.
If anyone you know needs palliative care support, our directory will help you find the centre closest to you. Do take a look at Pallium India’s Palliative Care Directory and let us know (Email: info@palliumindia.org or Contact us) if any centre near you is missing.
Click here to donate to Pallium India and lend a hand to our activities.
Donations from US can be made online on http://palliumindiausa.org/
For DOMESTIC Transfer:
Beneficiary: Pallium India Trust
Account No: 30086491915
State Bank of India
Branch: Pattom, Trivandrum
IFS Code: SBIN0003355
MICR No: 695002007
For FOREIGN donations:
Account Name: Pallium India Trust
Bank: State Bank of India (code: 00691)
Branch: Delhi
Account No: 40098265669
IFSC Code: SBIN0000691
SWIFT Code: SBININBB104
Queries? Write to info@palliumindia.org or call 97467 45504
Please help us find a permanent home!
Pallium India is looking for a place for our permanent headquarters with inpatient, outpatient facilities, rehabilitation centre & training rooms. Anywhere in and around Thiruvananthapuram where people can reach easily.
Please contact: 97467 45502 / 97467 46528 / info@palliumindia.org
Follow us for palliative care news, views and updates – as & when they happen
SAHAYATRA
Sahayatra, Pallium India’s monthly print magazine in Malayalam, is meant for anyone interested in Palliative Care – patients, families, palliative care professionals, volunteers and well-wishers.
Yearly subscription rate for Sahayatra is ₹200. (Only ₹500 if you subscribe for three years.) However, we send Sahayatra free of cost to patients and their families.
To subscribe to Sahayatra monthly magazine, please send your complete postal address to info@palliumindia.org. Read previous issues of Sahayatra online: https://palliumindia.org/sahayatra
PARTING SHOT
Dr Christopher Booth shouts out: “THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES!”
Many of us in Pallium India had the privilege of joining the grand rounds at Queen’s University in which our collaborator Dr Christopher Booth laid bare many inconsistencies in cancer care. Does it make sense to use a medicine that promises “PFS – Progression-Free Survival” (that is, no progression of tumour size) but has no effect on Overall Survival (OS); but does cause toxicity?
It happens when medical science concentrates on a tumour almost completely forgetting the human being who carries it.
You can watch the whole video here:
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