July 2022
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Dear friends,
As we prepare this newsletter, the North eastern state of Assam is facing the worst floods in recent years. During natural disasters, as people scramble to save themselves and theirs, the ailing and the marginalised unfortunately get left behind.
Our colleagues at Cachar Cancer Centre, which is a facility treating underprivileged patients from some of the most underserved locations in northeast India, are struggling for basic needs like food, drinking water and clothes. The hospital building has been flooded and much of their equipment ruined.
Please donate and support their flood relief activities:
National nurses’ team to prepare nursing modules on palliative care
The Indian Nursing Council (INC) has commenced the process of integrating Palliative Care into the UG nursing curriculum, from the 2022 batch. According to the latest syllabus, a 20-hour mandatory module on Palliative Care is included in the 4th semester (second year) of the four-year BSc Nursing Course. Following this announcement, the Indian Nursing Council has published the course outline for the mandatory modules.
Anu Savio Thelly writes >> National nurses’ team to prepare nursing modules on palliative care
On Health Policy: Palliative care not only End of Life Care
Advocacy has to be an essential part of palliative care work to mitigate unrelieved health related suffering, point out palliative care experts in a recent publication.
A chapter on ‘Health Policy’ by Katherine Pettus and Pati Dzotsenidze in the Oxford textbook of Public Health Palliative Care (edited by Julian Abel and Allan Kellehear) deserves close study.
Read more >> On Health Policy: Palliative care not only End of Life Care – Pallium India
A novel nurse-coordinated home care model for palliative care in advanced cancer: A pilot interventional study from suburban Mumbai
Demand for home-based health care services has increased considerably in India. Traditionally, home-based care services are physician-led which puts pressure on the understaffed healthcare sector. This study aims to pilot a new model, the Nurse coordinated Home Care (NCHC) service in suburban Mumbai (India).
Read more >> A novel nurse-coordinated home care model for palliative care in advanced cancer
Join hands for kids of Ukraine
A group of children’s palliative care practitioners have come together to help palliative care needs of children and their clinicians in Ukraine.
‘The Rome Declaration of Palliative Care for Children in Ukraine’ states that relief of serious health-related suffering is the right of every child. The global Children’s Palliative Care (CPC) community have committed to working together and ensuring quality palliative care for children with serious health conditions by providing knowledge and skilled multi-disciplinary teams in humanitarian settings.
Those who wish to support the CPC community in Ukraine can sign the declaration, either as an individual, or as a representative of an institution or organisation.
Read more >> Join hands for the children of Ukraine
Utopia Now: reaffirming death and suffering in Medicine
Dr Gopukrishnan Pillai writes: “The task of acknowledging death, dying and loss as integral to the human condition can not only be left to medical professionals and administrators, who are for the most part informed by the same values and attitudes as the wider society. Bringing grief and mourning back to public life would require that we acknowledge the relational nature of death and suffering.” #FutureOfDying
Read more >> Utopia Now: reaffirming death and suffering in Medicine
Love that Hurts
Compassionate care facilitates quality of life for as long as possible, and then facilitates quality of death. The Indian diaspora are ridden with guilt when a loved one falls seriously ill back home and suffers needlessly with futile treatments and interventions, said Dr M.R. Rajagopal in an interview to Mukund Acharya, for a US based online publication India Currents.
Read more >> In Conversation With Dr. M.R. Rajagopal, The Father Of Palliative Care In India
Heal your practice, medics
What had started as a book signing event in the Bay Area, California on June 5 ended as an experience-sharing event. Practically every attendee had a story to tell ‒ stories of pain and suffering of a loved one in India, of the insensitivity of the medical system and even of fights with the medical system to bring some dignity to dying family members.
Read more >> Heal your practice, medics
Book Review: ‘Walk with the Weary’ by Dr M R Rajagopal
Anyone turning the pages of M.R Rajagopal’s ‘Walk with the Weary’, is in for a pleasant surprise for, in spite of being stories wrapped around heart-wrenching human suffering, the memoir rolls out with ease, akin to stories narrated around a campfire – gripping and animated.
The chronicles of a doctor, who became obsessed with relieving patient suffering even before pain management became a speciality (popularly known today as palliative care), becomes interesting with his unwavering dedication to the cause.
Read the complete review by Sindhu S, an End of Life Care Advocate and a Writer, published in ehospice India.
‘Walk with the Weary’ is currently available on Amazon.in, Flipkart and Notion Press store. It is also available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk and as an eBook on Kindle store.
Publisher: Notion Press (February 2, 2022)
Language: English
Paperback: 242 pages/Kindle
ISBN: 979-8885559416
“I have learnt from many patients and their families that I should not be afraid to ask for help. I should learn to accept rejection with equanimity, and support with gratitude.” – Dr M.R. Rajagopal
Click here to know more about “Walk with the Weary” by Dr M R Rajagopal and to get your copy.
A Beginner’s Guide for Care of the Dying
Edited by Dr Pranab Basu
To get a copy of the book, please contact: pranabkumarbasu1@gmail.com OR +91 79801 01989
Need Palliative Care Experts as Lawmakers
No treatment is 100% harmless.
It is wise to stop aggressive disease-focused treatment when the risk or burden outweigh benefit, according to palliative care specialist Dr E. Divakaran. While no patient should be abandoned by the healthcare system, the treating physician has a moral obligation not to prescribe a treatment which is not going to benefit the patient and at the same time cause lot of harm for that patient.
Recognising his dedication and impact, Kairali television recently awarded Dr Divakaran’s outstanding work in the field of palliative care; he has received numerous awards and recognitions for his selfless service.
Sindhu S, End of Life Care Advocate and Writer, writes: Need Palliative Care Experts as Lawmakers
Make them smile – send us toys!
These are what we’re looking for: colouring books, colour pencils, crayons, sketch pens, soft toys.
But please do speak to us before you send anything:
085899 98761 / 097467 45497 / info@palliumindia.org
Courses / Conferences / Events
6 weeks Certificate Course for doctors and nurses (CCPPM & CCPN) – at Trivandrum
Pallium India, invites doctors and nurses to join this six weeks course in pain management and palliative care, at Trivandrum.
Start Date: 11 July 2022 (Monday)
Six weeks’ “Hands-on” Certificate Course in Pain & Palliative Medicine (CCPPM)
Objective: To enable participants to gain practical “hands-on” training in pain and palliative medicine supplemented by theoretical background.
Eligibility: M.B.B.S or BDS with permanent registration with medical / dental council.
Six weeks’ “Hands-on” Certificate Course in Palliative Nursing (CCPN)
Objective: To enable participants to gain practical “hands-on” training in palliative care nursing supplemented by theoretical background.
Eligibility: Any nurse holding a recognised degree or certificate in nursing and interested in palliative care is eligible to do the course.
Know more and register now for CCPPM or CCPN: https://palliumindia.org/2022/06/ccppm-ccpn-jul11
Online Foundation Course in Palliative Nursing (FCPN) in English
Classes Scheduled: 18 Sessions (2 sessions per week)
Day of the week: Mondays & Thursdays
Start Date: 1 August 2022 (Monday)
End Date: 17 October 2022 (Monday)
Class Timing: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Where: ZOOM Online
Online Volunteer Training Program
in English
Classes scheduled: 5 sessions
Days of the week: Monday to Friday
Start Date: 4 July 2022 (Monday)
End Date: 8 July 2022 (Friday)
Time: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Where: ZOOM Online
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD)
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is an annual unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world.
With one voice, we will celebrate the importance of palliative care to quality of life, and advocate for equitable access for all.
The WHPCD theme for 2022: Healing Hearts and Communities
The experience of grief and the need to heal unites humans worldwide. With more than six million deaths worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in tremendous strain on healthcare systems and unprecedented grief and suffering for health workers and caregivers. In addition, several conflicts and wars are taking place around the globe, resulting in millions of families and caregivers grieving the deaths of family and friends, experiencing social isolation and property destruction.
Read more about World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2022 >> http://thewhpca.org/world-hospice-and-palliative-care-day/about
IAPCON 2023 Bengaluru
The 30th Annual International Conference (IAPCON 2023) of Indian Association of Palliative Care will be a physical conference held at Bengaluru, Karnataka, organized by Karunashraya.
Dates of event: 10-12 February, 2023
Pre-conference workshops: 9 February, 2023.
The theme of IAPCON 2023 is: ‘Metamorphosis: The emergence of Subspeciality Palliative Medicine’.
Please visit the conference website for further details.
7th International African Palliative Care Conference
24-26 AUGUST 2022
Click here to know more: https://www.africanpalliativecare.org/conference/
The McGill International Congress on Palliative Care: Oct 18-21, 2022.
McGill University’s International Congress on Palliative Care is the longest running congress for this field. Founded in 1976 by Dr. Balfour Mount and his colleagues, it is now organized and hosted biennially by Palliative Care McGill.
Visit the conference website: https://www.mcgill.ca/palliativecare/congress
Check out upcoming trainings and important days: https://palliumindia.org/events
Contact: info@palliumindia.org
Video of the Month
Making Healthcare Human
Parentis Health is a chain of hospice programs in Irvine, California that lays emphasis on continuity of care as well as independence of the individual.
Initiated by a visionary, Tarek Elnabli, it advocates for a happy combination of humanity and science in healthcare. Thank you, Parentis Health, for this video featuring Dr M R Rajagopal, produced by Masha Petrova and directed and edited by Patrick Shen using footage from Hippocratic (kind courtesy Mike Hill and Sue Collins of Moonshine Agency, Australia.)
Click here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVc5ElxIMbM
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.
NCD Diaries: Ashla Rani
“Going back to live in my village was a nightmare. My world was confined to my room. There was no life or purpose in me. Why should I live and what should I live for?”
Yoga and Palliative Care
Sunanda Samal, Regional Coordinator-Central India, State Facilitation Team, Pallium India, who is also a Certified Yoga Trainer, writes about Yoga and palliative care, on International Yoga Day, June 21, 2022.
Follow us on Social Media for updates
Contact us: info@palliumindia.org / 97467 45497
OPENINGS
The following are the openings at NNRC ELCA, Coimbatore, an exclusive Senior Care Support Center, launched by NNRC Retirement Community:
VISIT OUR CAREERS PAGE:
https://palliumindia.org/category/career
In case of queries, please write to us: career@palliumindia.org
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 our numbers.
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: +91 964 588 4889 / +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
After you make a donation, please write to us at donations@palliumindia.org for the receipt. Kindly provide your name, PAN number, contact number and address for us to issue the receipt.
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. Contact: 97467 45504
Read previous issues of Sahayatra online: https://palliumindia.org/sahayatra
PARTING SHOT
Precious Donation!
10 year old Dev lives in USA. When he heard about palliative care, he wanted to help. He had over $400 on him – savings from his birthday gifts, mostly.
But he was saving it all up for his college education. If he donated it, how would he get an education?
Once his dad promised to take care of that, he hesitated no longer. He wrote out a cheque. Though it is a hand-written cheque, he wanted us to know, real money will be given too.
Inspired, his sister Naina (8) chipped in with her own $100.
Precious donation! Thank you Dev and Naina.
Thank you for reading our newsletter. Read previous issues here
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