April 2023
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End of life care in India and relevance of Advance Medical Directives (AMD)
In the absence of a law governing end of life care and withholding/withdrawing life support, and in the light of the recent Supreme Court judgement on the matter, we recommend we should all prepare our advance medical directive (AMD) and also make our wishes known to the potential decision makers in the family.
For a suggested format (as DOC & PDF), please see Living Will and Attorney Authorisation
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In this issue… Scroll down to read
- Congratulations, Dr Megan Doherty
- The Art of Gentle Dying
- Rosalie Shaw Travel Scholarship
- How Palliative Care can change the way we practice medicine
- Upcoming Courses (Online & Offline)
- Student Volunteers – our Community’s strength
- Bringing Severe Pain to an End
- Career – Openings
Update on ‘RESONATE with Pallium India’: musical fundraiser event
Due to technical issues, the event “Resonate with Pallium India” has been postponed.
We hope to be back very soon with new dates.
All those who bought the tickets will be reimbursed within 5-7 working days.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
World Hospice & Palliative Care Day – October 14, 2023
Compassionate Communities: Together for Palliative Care
This year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) falls on the 14th of October. The theme of WHPCD 2023 is Compassionate Communities: Together for Palliative Care. WHPCD is an annual unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world, and is celebrated every year on the second Saturday of October.
Last year’s theme was Healing Hearts and Communities. This year’s theme builds on last year’s and the continued need to come together to support communities and each other now more than ever.
Manjuthulli 2023
Our sincere thanks to everyone who supported Manjuthulli Art Exhibition and Sale at Thiruvananthapuram (March 10-12, 2023) and purchased paintings.
Manjuthulli is an annual event organised by Pallium India’s volunteers and staff, since 2014, to raise funds for palliative care activities.
The paintings that are on sale have been donated by artists.
Dr Rajagopal is one of the recipients of the ‘Distinguished Mentor Award’ at GARC 2023.
The award was presented on 16th March, 2023 at Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore, during the Ganga Anaesthesia Refresher Course (GARC 2023), an annual conference that focuses on the holistic growth of Anaesthesiologists.
During this conference each year, a Leadership Summit is held to recognise Teachers and Mentors who have enriched the minds of several young professionals by felicitating them with the ‘Distinguished Mentor Award’.
Signed Copies of Dr Rajagopal’s book “Walk With the Weary” were made available at GARC.
“How to treat people as a whole and not just the disease”
Dr Parth Sharma writes: “As a young doctor I wish I had read this book before I started practicing medicine. This book teaches a vital art of connecting with patients. I was often told that books can’t teach that but I am glad there is finally a book that teaches that so beautifully. Dr Rajagopal has been a role model for me and I hope this book inspires budding doctors to learn how to treat people as a whole and not just the disease. This book beautifully preaches that there is care beyond cure and I would highly recommend this to each and every health care worker.”
In Walk with the Weary: Life-changing Lessons in Healthcare, Dr Rajagopal knits his own experiences as a doctor with stories of the unique lives of his many patients, asserting that medicine can bring comfort and security to those at their most vulnerable and provide them the opportunity to not only live healthy lives but to die with dignity.
Get your copy of “Walk With the Weary” here:
Amazon IN: https://www.amazon.in/Walk-Weary-Dr-M-Rajagopal/dp/9393852448
Aleph Book Company: https://www.alephbookcompany.com/book/walk-with-the-weary-life-changing-lessons-in-healthcare/
Flipkart: https://www.flipkart.com/walk-with-the-weary/p/itm681283c8fd982
If you have already read the book, please leave a review on the website or email it to us: info@palliumindia.org
Rosalie Shaw Travel Scholarship
Apply for the Rosalie Shaw Travel Scholarship to attend the 15th Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Conference in Incheon, Korea from 4th to 7th October 2023.
Please visit: http://aphc2023.kr/scholarship.php
Deadline: 14 April, 2023
Congratulations, Dr Megan Doherty
Congratulations to Dr Megan Doherty, the recipient of the 2023 Canadian Society of Palliative Care Physicians (CSPCP) Humanitarian Award!
Dr. Doherty’s unwavering commitment to pediatric Palliative Care, education, and advocacy in underprivileged regions is truly inspiring. Her work has transformed the lives of countless patients and healthcare providers across the globe.
The Art of Gentle Dying
An expert talk by Ms Gilly Burn, Founder Director, Cancer Relief India, on the topic “Introduction to Palliative Care and Role of Nursing in PC” was organized from 6th to 11th March in Ludhiana, Amritsar and Aligarh. These programs were organized by DMC (Dayanand Medical College), Ludhiana, MOH (Mohandai Oswal Hospital) Ludhiana, SGRD (Sri Guru Ram Das Hospital) Amritsar and JNMC (Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College) Aligarh, in collaboration with Pallium India.
Palliative Care training in Ladakh
Pallium India, in collaboration with Project ECHO India and National Health Mission (NHM) Ladakh, organised a palliative care sensitization workshop for Community Health Officers (CHO) across Ladakh, in February and March 2023.
120 CHOs, including medical officers and nurses, were trained in the different aspects of Palliative Care, by Dr Anjum Joad Khan and Dr Minhaj Akhter of Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Jaipur. Other speakers at the event included Mr Gylax (State Program Officer, NHM Ladhak), Dr Sandeep Bhalla (Associate Vice President, ECHO India), Dr Iftakhar Ahmed Chowdhary (NHM, Ladakh) and Dr Fajar Shah (ECHO India).
Another celebration of community participation of palliative care
“Santhwana Vazhiyile Nombara Kazhchakal” (സാന്ത്വനവഴിയിലെ നൊമ്പരക്കാഴ്ചകൾ) – book by Smt Yashoda was released recently. Read more >>
Donation by Siemens Healthineers
Siemens Healthineers has donated protective gear to Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, facilitated by Pallium India. The medical equipment included 6000 protective eyewear, 9000 shoe cover and 3000 protective body suits. The formal handover was organized at Government Medical College on March 20, 2023.
Govt. Medical College Principal Prof. Dr. Kala Kesavan, Dr Anil Sundaram (Deputy Superintendent) and Mohan Roy (Resident Medical Officer) attended. Dr. Sunil Kumar M M (Additional Director, TIPS, Pallium India), Dr Sangeetha Suresh (Palliative Care Physician, Pallium India), Mr Sourav Singh (Lead – Resource Mobilization, Pallium India) and others were also part of this handover ceremony.
Pallium India runs a Palliative Care Out Patient Clinic at Govt. Medical College Hospital.
Video of the Month
How Palliative Care can change the way we practice medicine | Dr. Chitra Venkateshwaran | TEDxAIIMSPatna
Speaking at TEDx AIIMS Patna, Dr Chitra Venkateshwaran asserts the need for palliative care to be integrated and adopted into regular health care, not only by doctors but also by the patient’s families. She reminds everyone that Palliative Care should not only be limited to terminally ill patients, but should also be provided to patients who have hopes of survival.
Click here to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPfJw1J-2cc
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.
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.
CAREERS / OPENINGS
Assistant Professor / Associate Professor in Singapore
Nurse-in-charge at Shanti Palliative Care Centre, Siliguri
Nurse at Shanti Palliative Care Centre, Siliguri
Secretary / Medical-Transcriptionist at Shanti Palliative Care Centre, Siliguri
Head – Research & Development , Trivandrum
Regional Coordinator – North India, Delhi / Chandigarh
Medical Social Worker, Trivandrum
Administrative Assistant, Trivandrum
Paediatrician, Trivandrum
For more openings across the country, visit our CAREERS page:
https://palliumindia.org/category/career
In case of queries, please write to us: career@palliumindia.org
Follow us on Social Media for updates
Contact us: info@palliumindia.org / 97467 45497
As a Doctor, I Know Being Ready to Die Is an Illusion
“Like many physicians, I feared that by talking about death before he appeared ready, I might take away his hope, make him give up or send him into an unstoppable tailspin of anxiety and depression.”
Dr Sunita Puri writes in the New York Times: As a Doctor, I Know Being Ready to Die Is an Illusion
Events / Courses
7 April: World Health Day
World Health Day is celebrated annually and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.
7 April marks the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948.
On 7 April 2023, the World Health Organization will observe its 75th birthday.
1 May 2023
10-day Foundation Course in Palliative Medicine – at Trivandrum
Doctors, your chance to join us in Trivandrum for ten days and be a part of our out-patient, inpatient and home visit programs.
Start Date: May 1, 2023 (Monday)
Eligibility: M.B.B.S or B.D.S with permanent registration with medical / dental council.
Venue: Pallium India, Aisha Memorial Hospital Building, Paruthikkuzhy, Trivandrum.
Register: https://palliumindia.org/2023/01/10-day-foundation-palliative-medicine
Contact us: education@palliumindia.org / (+91) 85899 98760
1 June 2023
6 weeks Certificate Course for doctors and nurses (CCPPM & CCPN) – at Trivandrum
Doctors and Nurses, join this six weeks certificate course in pain management and palliative care, at Trivandrum.
Start Date: 1 June 2023 (Thursday)
Eligibility:
CCPPM: M.B.B.S or BDS with permanent registration with medical / dental council.
CCPN: Any nurse holding a recognised degree or certificate in nursing.
Venue: Pallium India, Aisha Memorial Hospital Building, Paruthikkuzhy, Trivandrum.
Register: https://palliumindia.org/2023/03/ccppm-ccpn-jun1
Contact us: education@palliumindia.org / (+91) 85899 98760
12 May 2023
Refresher Course in Palliative Medicine
Register: Refresher Course in Palliative Medicine
Check out upcoming events: https://palliumindia.org/events
Queries? Contact: info@palliumindia.org
Student Volunteers – our Community’s strength
R. Reena, Senior Social Officer, Community Engagement, Pallium India, writes:
Many keep bashing the generation of ‘millennials’ for being “too self-absorbed” and “lacking respect and manners”. But let me narrate an incident from my recent experience.
One of the people Pallium India is caring for, an elderly woman, had no caregiver to take her for a consultation in the government medical college hospital; her husband was too old and frail. So she almost dropped the idea of the hospital visit.
Juggling academic and co-curricular activities, Adarsh and Ananthan of Christian College, Kattakada were already in charge of an event in their college. But when they came to know about the needed assistance for medical college consultation, the kind hearted young men decided to hand over their responsibilities for the event to friends and help the “Amma”.
It is easy to donate money for any cause, but time is the most precious gift! The two young men spent their day to help the “amma” with no expectations of getting anything in return.
Before you judge today’s youth as too self-absorbed, come and see the students who help out in palliative care. See how sensitive they are to the realities of pain and life. And how capable they are to love their fellow humans irrespective of class, age or gender.
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 receive Sahayatra monthly magazine by post, 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
Bringing Severe Pain to an End
In her article published in Dianova.org, Bringing Severe Pain to an End, Smriti Rana denounces the blatant injustice in access to painkillers around the world.
She uses an image – a skewed map of the world depicting the global disparity in opioid use – from the Lancet Commission on Access to Palliative Care and Pain Relief (2017) to make her point. And she proposes proposes an international collective action to address it.
Please read: https://www.dianova.org/opinion/bringing-severe-pain-to-an-end/
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