Published on: November 1, 2022

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Pallium India celebrates World Hospice & Palliative Care Day: October 8, 2022

It was a day filled with moments of love, light, laughter, sharing and a lot of caring. The World Hospice & Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) celebrations on the second Saturday of October were organised by Pallium India after a hiatus of 3 long years due to the COVID pandemic.

We hosted many of our beneficiaries and various other stakeholders at the picturesque Kerala Arts and Crafts Village (KACV) located en route to Kovalam. KACV is a corporate social responsibility initiative of the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society Limited which takes up key infrastructure projects in the state.

Dr. Deepak Sudhakaran, Specialist – Community Medicine, Pallium India, writes: Pallium India celebrates World Hospice & Palliative Care Day

Click here to see the photos from the day

Showcase your WHPCD celebrations:

The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) invites everyone to share details of the WHPCD celebrations at your Institute / Center in our dedicated page by following this link: https://www.palliativecare.in/world-hospice-and-palliative-care-day-celebrations/ 


Food Festival 2022 at Trivandrum: November 4, 5

If you are in Trivandrum next week, Nov 4-5, 2022, please do visit Canara Bank, Spencer Junction, and purchase delicious home-made items, lovingly prepared by our volunteers, well-wishers and staff members.

You will be supporting our patient care activities: the proceeds from this food fest will go towards free medicines, food kits, children’s education, rehabilitation and much, much more.

Contact: 97467 45502, 94470 26589

(Click on the posters to enlarge them.)


Gilly Burn visits Pallium India

Dr Rajagopal says about Ms Gilly Burn, “In the late 1980s and early 1990s, when I was treating people for pain and often getting lost, it was Ms Gilly Burn, a British nurse, who introduced me to the depths of palliative care and showed us a clear path. Over these decades, she has continued to be an active advocate.”

(Image: Dr Rajagopal gifts his book, Walk with the Weary: Lessons in Humanity in Healthcare, to Gilly, at Pallium India, on 28 October 2022, in the presence of staff and volunteers who joined in person and via zoom.)

Please read about some of Gilly’s untiring work in October 2022.

Gilly Burn’s visit in Chandigarh and Punjab

An expert talk by Ms Gilly Burn, Founder Director, Cancer Relief India was organized from 10th to 14th October in Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Amritsar.

The CME on “Introduction to Palliative Care” by Gilly Burn was held at AIMS (Dr BR Ambedkar Institute of Medical Science, Mohali) on 10th Oct., DMC (Dayanand Medical College), Ludhiana on 11th Oct. and 12th Oct., MOH (Mohandai Oswal Hospital) Ludhiana on 11th Oct. 

The event was organized and led by Mr Avtar Singh Cheema (Founder, Palliative Peace Chandigarh), Dr Bhavneet Bharti (Director Principal, AIMS Mohali), Raj Kumar (Vice Chancellor, PU Chandigarh), Dr Kunal Jain (MO DMC, Ludhiana), Dr Murtuza Habib (MS MOH, Ludhiana). Approximately 525 participants (Doctors, nurses and paramedical staff) attended the sessions. 

Ms Gilly Burn has been acknowledged internationally as an inspirational clinical role model, palliative care advocate and for her dynamic, charismatic teaching. Her lifelong passion is to support the development of excellence in Palliative Care in India, through educational initiatives. In 1989, she was asked by World Health Organization (WHO) to undertake a Palliative Care Needs Assessment in India. As a result of her research for the WHO, she founded Cancer Relief India (CRI) in 1990. Since then, she has been undertaking clinical teaching and giving lectures all over the globe.

An interactive session with Gilly Burn was arranged where she addressed the faculty members and nursing staff regarding Palliative care in India. She shared her personal experiences over the past 3 decades and emphasized the need of Palliative care in every institute. The program was conducted in collaboration with Pallum India.

(Click on the images to enlarge them.)


Lifetime Achievement Award for Dr Rajagopal

Dr. M R Rajagopal, Chairman, Pallium India Trust, received the Lifetime Achievement Award instituted by National Association of Palliative Care for AYUSH and Integrative Medicine (NAPCAIM) from NAPCAIM delegation consisting of Shri K Radhakrishna Menon, (National Vice President, NAPCAIM), Sr. Susheela, (Vice President, Kanyakumari City Chapter), Sr. Mercy, S/Shri Dileep and Sunil, (Mother Anna Care Centre, Kulasekharam) at Pallium India, Trivandrum.

The Award was formally received by Dr. Jagruti Kamdar, Vice President, Maharashtra State Chapter, on behalf of Dr. Rajagopal at the first international conference of NAPCAIM held at Sri Guru Ram Das University of Health Sciences, Sri Amritsar, Punjab.


Bruce Davis Gold Medal Examination 2022

Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode, Kerala, announces the National Level Online Screening Examination for the prestigious Bruce Davis Gold Medal for young Doctors in India. Doctors who appear for their final MBBS examination in the current year (2022) and those who have successfully completed MBBS not earlier than 2017 from any recognized Medical College in India are eligible to apply.

Visit this link to register for the examination: https://www.bdgmexam.instituteofpalliativemedicine.org/candidate-login.php


National List of Essential Medicines Revised

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of Government of India has revised its National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM 2022). Tramadol has found a place in the list, though limited to secondary and primarily levels.

It is gratifying that immediate release morphine (and not expensive formulations or other opioids) is included, thus upholding the spirit of the Morphine Manifesto and the recommendations of the Lancet Commission on Access to Palliative Care and Pain Relief.

Interestingly, oral morphine is included amongst analgesics at primary, secondary and tertiary levels while as a palliative care drug, it is mentioned only for secondary and tertiary care.

View the National List of Essential Medicines 2022 here: https://main.mohfw.gov.in/newshighlights-104


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 EnglishHindi, 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.


Video of the Month
Palliversation : Morphine !

This video depicts a patient’s family members who have doubts about starting morphine for their mother who is suffering from metastatic cancer. The doctor explains the precautions taken in prescribing opioids and then the daughter agrees with the plan of palliative care that advises opioids for cancer pain.

Thank you for this video, Dr Bhagyashree Barlingay.

Click here to watch: https://youtu.be/FC5ZdqCQNrs

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.


Follow us on Social Media for updates

Contact us: info@palliumindia.org / 97467 45497


Courses / Conferences / Events
10-day Foundation Course in Palliative Medicine
(at Trivandrum)

Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences (TIPS), Pallium India, organizes a 10-day Foundation Course in Palliative Medicine for doctors.

Venue: BDTC Hall, Pallium India, Aisha Memorial Hospital Building, Paruthikkuzhy, Trivandrum.

Start Date: December 5, 2022 (Monday)

Contact us: education@palliumindia.org / (+91) 85899 98760

Objective:

To enable participants to gain practical “hands-on” training in pain management and communication supplemented by theoretical background.

Know more about the training

Register for this training

Write to us if you have queries: education@palliumindia.org Or call us: +91 85899 98760


14 November 2022

Online Foundation Course in Palliative Nursing (FCPN) for nurses

Classes Scheduled: 18 Sessions (2 sessions per week)
Day of the week: Mondays & Thursdays
Start Date: 14 November 2022 (Monday)
End Date: 16 January 2023 (Monday)
Class Timing: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (IST)
Where: ZOOM Online

Read more & register now

14 November 2022

Online Foundation Course in Palliative Medicine (FCPM) for doctors

Classes Scheduled: 20 Sessions (3 sessions per week)
Days of the week: Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Start Date: 14 November 2022 (Monday)
End Date: 28 December 2022 (Wednesday)
Class Timing: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (IST)
Where: ZOOM Online

Read more & register now

7 December 2022

Foundation Course in Palliative Care – Psychosocial Interventions (Basics)

Sessions Scheduled : 16 Sessions (2 sessions per week)
Days of the week: Wednesdays & Fridays
Start Date : 7 December 2022 (Wednesday)
End Date: 27 January 2023 (Friday)
Class Timing: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (IST)
Where: ZOOM ONLINE

Read more & register now

Volunteer Training Programs

Pallium India’s volunteer training programs (free) are for anyone who is interested to get introduced to palliative care and to contribute to their community.

The topics include: the basic principles of palliative care including psychosocial care, effective communication, mobilising the community, etc.

The 5-day online training programs are scheduled from Monday to Friday on these dates:

14-18 November (Malayalam)

12-16 December (English)

Time: 5pm – 6.30pm

Contact: tipsecho@palliumindia.org / 90726 20041

Click here to register: https://forms.gle/JkZVAMsujJNMoD53A


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. 

Register now

Submit Abstracts

Check out upcoming events: https://palliumindia.org/events
Queries? Contact: info@palliumindia.org


Ashla to receive Znehazandram Award

Pallium India’s trustee, Ashla Rani, is to receive the second Znehazandram Excellence Award instituted by the Kozhikode-based Zmart Foundation, for inspiring personalities.

Ashla, 40, has been selected in recognition of her advocacy for disability rights. “In spite of hurdles, she refused to back down,” says the citation, “and her perseverance makes her a fitting recipient.”

The award will be presented on November 11, 2022 at Pallium India offices in Thiruvananthapuram.

The ZnehaZandram Award is an endowment setup for individuals who lead inspirational lives, by Karikkottu George Oommen and Rachel George in the loving memory of their daughter Sandra.

This award follows up on Ashla receiving the Women’s Empowerment Award 2022 for her legendary rise as a leading inspiration to people faced with sudden life limiting challenges. Rather than being bogged down by a tragic accident that put her on a wheelchair, she turned it around into a life-changing opportunity for herself and others.

Ashla had met with an accident which damaged her spinal cord 10 years ago. She has been using a wheelchair since and, in spite of the many obstacles, rose to significance by making it her life’s mission to help find solutions for the physically challenged and fighting for their rights, while spreading the message that everyone had an equal right to life’s comforts and opportunities, and never a charity.

“Public spaces should be transformed into inclusive corridors for the differently-abled,” Ashla says. “People’s attitude towards us must change. We should be given opportunities to be contributing members of the society.”

Ashla had completed her Masters in Computer Applications and was working as a software professional with a reputed company in Chennai before the accident. She decided to pursue her job for part time since her company allowed her to work from home.

She moved to Pallium India in 2014 as a volunteer. This is where she found the purpose of her life. Now she works with the rehabilitation team for people with spinal cord injury and stroke.


Pallium India at the McGill International Congress on Palliative Care, Montreal 

Pallium India’s virtual education team, represented by Rajalekshmi Balu and Dr Sreedevi Warrier, presented their work virtually at the McGill International Palliative Care Congress, Montreal, Canada, held from Oct 18-21, 2022.

McGill University’s International Congress on Palliative Care is the longest running congress for this field, and is now organized and hosted biennially by Palliative Care McGill. Over 1,500 delegates, from more than 65 countries participate in making this one of the most interdisciplinary palliative care congresses.

Education of professionals and community stakeholders is the way forward for disseminating palliative care services in Low and Middle Income Countries. Pallium India offers a number of virtual palliative care training programs for people working in diverse domains who wish to contribute to mitigate suffering.

Come, join our virtual movement to alleviate suffering: https://palliumindia.org/training/online-training


Fundraiser at Seattle

Kerala Association of Washington (KAW) organized a fundraising drama “Kozhutha Kalakutty” (originally by T. M. Abraham) on 22nd October. KAW is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious cultural organization for Keralites in the Pacific Northwest. 

Pallium India is one of the 3 beneficiaries, the other two being pediatric palliative care providers – Solace (Kerala) and Ladybug House (Seattle).

There was a raffle with 3 simple questions (with the answers included as “hint”), to raise awareness around Palliative Care. 59 people participated. Pallium India Seattle team also distributed copies of Dr. Rajagopal’s book “Walk with the weary: Lessons in Humanity in Healthcare” to all those who donated during the event and also to whoever expressed interest.

Read more & follow KAW Seattle on Facebook


Multi stakeholder Engagement for Active & Healthy Ageing among Elderly Women

On October 21 & 22, 2022, Additional Director General Dr. Gowri N. Sengupta of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with Program Officer Dr. Atrey Ganguly of WHO-India organised a National Workshop on “Multi stakeholder Engagement for Active & Healthy Ageing among Elderly Women” at The Park, New Delhi.

The workshop was attended by multi-stakeholders from 12 civil society organisations including Pallium India, National Program Coordinators and officers in states to state regional centre coordinators. A total of 48 participants including the organisers participated in the event.

Pallium India was represented by Ms Preeti Chauhan (Dept Head, National Policy, Pallium India).


News from Sri Lanka

From our next-door neighbors – Sri Lanka – come these two pieces of welcome news.

First, Dr Suraj Perera shares with us generously, a new learning resource:

Then the news that Dr Samadhi Rajapaksa has received International Honorary Professorship for Palliative Medicine from FACERES- Faculty of Medicine, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil, ABRAN-Brazilian Association of Nutrology, Sao Paulo, Brazil and The Institute of Teaching and Research Zotarelli Filho Scientific Work, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Congratulations, all palliative care workers in Sri Lanka. We look up at you with admiration. Our best wishes.

Volunteer Training and World Palliative Care Day celebration at Longleng, Nagaland

Palliative Care awareness training for volunteers was conducted at the Phom Baptist Christian Association Headquarter, Longleng in collaboration with Pallium India, Phom Baptist Christian Association and Chief Medical Officer Longleng, on Friday, October 7, 2022. Rontu Sangma (Pallium India Regional Coordinator NE) and Dr Obangjungla (Chief Medical Officer, Longleng) were the resource persons for the training.

World Hospice Palliative Care Day was observed at Phom Baptist Christian Association HQ Convention Hall, Longleng, under the initiative of Dr Obangjungla (Chief Medical Officer, Longleng, Nagaland) on the 8th October 2022, in partnership with Pallium India and Phom Baptist Christian Association (PBCA). Civil Society leaders of the district, functioning unions of the district, 11 ward officials, students from different academic institutions and well-wishers operating in different humanitarian works also attended the event. Rontu Sangma (Regional Coordinator NE) represented Pallium India at the event. 

Jeevana & KTU Annual Meet 2022

On 15th & 16th October, 2022, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University National Service Scheme cell and Pallium India jointly organized a 2-day Palliative Care training program at ViswaJyothi College of Engineering & Technology, Muvattupuzha.

Mr Babu Abraham (Head – Social Engagement, Pallium India), Ms Abhirami PS, Mr A P Sreekanth (Community Social Officers, Pallium India) and Ms Reena R (Senior Community Social Officer, Pallium India) were the resource persons for this program. 

The inauguration of a state-level fundraising program for kidney patients titled “Jeevana”, organized by VJCET NSS and Jeevadhara Renal Care Foundation, took place during the event. “Redwings”, a blood bank data book comprising information related to donors who are willing to donate blood, was also released.


CAREERS / OPENINGS
VISIT OUR CAREERS PAGE:
https://palliumindia.org/category/career

In case of queries, please write to us: career@palliumindia.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

Being Civilised

A student once asked anthropologist Margaret Mead, “What is the earliest sign of civilization?” The student expected her to say a clay pot, a grinding stone, or maybe a weapon.

Margaret Mead thought for a moment, then she said, “A healed femur.”

A femur is the longest bone in the body, linking hip to knee. In societies without the benefits of modern medicine, it takes about six weeks of rest for a fractured femur to heal. A healed femur shows that someone cared for the injured person, did their hunting and gathering, stayed with them, and offered physical protection and human companionship until the injury could mend.

Mead explained that where the law of the jungle—the survival of the fittest—rules, no healed femurs are found. The first sign of civilization is compassion, seen in a healed femur.

― Quote by Dr Ira Byock


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