Published on: October 21, 2024

The Facilitation Division at Pallium India is dedicated to enhancing palliative care services across various regions of India. Recently, the team embarked on a 10-day visit to Kerala, where we had the opportunity to exchange knowledge, visit key healthcare facilities, and celebrate Kerala’s rich cultural heritage.

Our journey began in Trivandrum, where we visited the site of Pallium India’s upcoming permanent home. It was inspiring to see the progress on this project, which will further our mission to provide compassionate care to those in need.

Days in Kochi: Learning from Kerala’s Model

Our first stop was Kochi, where we spent two days learning about Kerala government’s palliative care initiatives. We had insightful discussions with officials from the National Health Mission (NHM) on how palliative care is delivered through the state’s healthcare systems. The team also participated in home visits with NHM’s home care teams, gaining first-hand experience in how primary healthcare centers (PHCs) integrate palliative care into their services.

One key takeaway from these interactions was the critical role of local communities and panchayats in making palliative care accessible at the grassroots level. This model has the potential to be replicated in other regions where our team members work.

Trivandrum: Engagement with NHM and Home Care Visits

Back in Trivandrum, we were invited to NHM Kerala’s monthly review meeting on palliative care. It was an enriching experience to see the district program coordinators share updates and discuss strategies to improve and sustain the program across the state.

Following this, the team was divided into two groups. Some members participated in Pallium India’s home care visits, while others were involved in NHM Kerala’s ’Train the Trainers’ program, which focused on building capacity for palliative care delivery.

Engaging with Local Communities and Healthcare Providers

A visit to the Venganoor Panchayat was one of the highlights of our trip. We observed how Pallium India collaborates with local panchayats to extend palliative care to remote areas. Our day started with a tour of a PHC, where we had meaningful discussions with the healthcare staff about their approach to palliative care. We also visited an Ayurvedic hospital, a Homeopathic hospital, and BUDS school for children with disabilities. This visit underscored how different healthcare streams can play a role in providing holistic palliative care.

The Panchayat officials welcomed us warmly, and we had a productive discussion with the Panchayat President and other members. This interaction gave us deeper insights into the importance of local governance in healthcare delivery.

Workshops and Sports League

In addition to the field visits, our team also participated in a workshop led by Mr. Ajayraj on Learning and Development. The session focused on analyzing and understanding different personality types and how to apply leadership skills effectively in our work. It was an engaging and enjoyable session that gave us practical insights to bring back to our respective regions.

Throughout our visit, there was also time for fun! The Pallium India Sports league, held after office hours, saw some of our team members actively participating and enjoying the friendly competition.

Onam Celebrations: A Joyous End to the Visit

We reached the end stage of our trip with a beautiful Onam celebration at Pallium India’s office in Trivandrum. Although we come from different parts of the country, we embraced the festival’s spirit by dressing in traditional Kerala attire. Seeing everyone, especially the men in traditional mundus, was a delightful experience! The celebrations included cultural programs and fun activities, and we all enjoyed the Onam Sadya (lunch) together.

Team outing

We ended our trip with two relaxing days at a beautiful resort near Kovalam. After checking in and enjoying our rooms’ stunning view of the Arabian Sea, we indulged in some much-needed rest. But we set off to Poovar Island after much pushing! The boat ride through Poovar’s backwaters was serene, with glimpses of locals selling coconut water and groups of friends partying. As we passed through the mangroves and entered the sea, we reached our sunset point, where we took in the gorgeous view. While some tried camel rides, others enjoyed fresh mangoes and pineapples, laughing at the frenzy of sunset photo shoots around us.

The next day, we embraced a lazy Sunday with a late start, an afternoon beach visit, and a surprise experience at a local festival. After a hearty dinner, we wrapped up our trip. It couldn’t have been a better ending. The following morning, after a final breakfast together, we all headed back to our respective destinations.

Final Thoughts

Our 10-day visit to Kerala was filled with learning, collaboration, and cultural experiences. We returned home not only with new knowledge and insights but also with fond memories of Kerala’s hospitality and festive spirit. This trip reinforced our commitment to making palliative care more accessible and effective across India.

Stay tuned as we continue our journey to expand and enhance palliative care services nationwide!

(Prepared by Facilitation team members: John Surya, Lalit S, Dr Jatin Bhukal, Syed Askari, Sunanda Samal, Rajendra Dutt Bijalwan, Rontu Sangma and Shalini AJ)