Published on: February 27, 2024

Over a year ago, on the eve of World Cancer Day, 2023, the Pain & Palliative Care Wing (PPW) at SVIMS-SPMC (Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences – Sri Padmavathi Medical College for Women), Tirupathi, was inaugurated by the honourable collector of Tirupathi. The services were started following a 10-day Foundation Course in Palliative Medicine program conducted for doctors and nurses, by Pallium India. 

Since the opening of the centre, pain and palliative care services are being provided 24×7, with a concerted effort by the departments of Anesthesiology, Radiation Oncology, Community Medicine, Nephrology, Physiotherapy, Intervention Radiology and others, as part of cross consulting services. The services are broadly provided under three formats: OPD (daily 2 to 4pm) except holidays, Day care services and IP services. Home visit services are yet to begin.

The PPW team has been regularly conducting seminars for residents and interns with faculties, as well as Virtual Mentorship programmes focussing on case-based discussion (Real Case Scenarios) almost monthly, with experts from Pallium India. In addition, Live Demonstration Workshops are often conducted as appropriate with help from Pallium India team. They have been actively engaged in sharing their knowledge and experience as part of training to ANMs, MLHPs, Medical officers, Programme officers nearly more  than 500 members. This was as part of DCC (District Cancer Control Programme) initiative started at Tirupati District of Andhra Pradesh. 

In the future, they plan to develop the PPW to the Dept of Pain and Palliative Care and due recruitment of Skilled/ Trained professionals; to start DNB, MD courses after getting necessary approval from NMC; to start specialised nursing courses in Palliative Care.

Congratulations and best wishes to the PPW team.