March 2025
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Welcome to a new edition of Pallium India’s newsletter. Thank you for joining us. Here you can find updates from the palliative care world, upcoming events including training for professionals and volunteers, interesting articles, career opportunities and so on.
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Thrilled to be part of India Giving Day 2025! 🌟
India Giving Day, an initiative of the India Philanthropy Alliance, unites diverse nonprofits under the common goal of sustainable development in India. Pallium India USA is honored to be selected for India Giving Day 2025! This is a great opportunity for us to raise funds and compete with other participating Indian Non-Profits with (501c3) registration in the US.
“Comedy For Compassion”- An India Giving Day Initiative by Pallium India USA. Featuring stand-up comedian, writer and TV Host ‘Dhaya Lakshminarayanan’. A Fundraising night with lots of laughter and Dinner. On 14th March, at Sunnyvale, CA- 94085, USA.
Tickets for Sale on: https://events.sulekha.com/comedy-for-compassion_event-in_sunnyvale-ca_383443
Events, Matching Gifts, Peer 2 Peer Fundraisers, Social Media content and many more!
India Giving Day is on 14th March 2025. Early giving starts on 1st March. Save & Share this!
Together, we’ll ensure no one faces health struggles alone.
For learning more, check https://indiagivingday.org
International
Innovations and Excellence in Palliative Care Education
We are delighted to share that the International Webinar on Innovations and Excellence in Palliative Care Education held on February 13, 2025, was a tremendous success. The insightful session brought together experts and healthcare professionals to explore symptom control, end-of-life care, and game-based learning in palliative care education.
A huge thank you to our inspiring speakers, engaged participants, and dedicated organizers from Focus Games for making this event truly impactful. Approx. 300 participants attended this webinar. Dr. Sreedevi Warrier (Division Head, Education & Skill Building Team, Pallium India) was one of the keynote speakers.
Missed the session? Watch the full video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY_cgite-Jw
Hidden Faces of Caregiving- Uncovering Gaps and Solutions
An India Giving Day initiative of Pallium India and Pallium USA was held on February 22nd’ 2025.
Moderated by: Smriti Rana (Head, Strategic Programmes and Partnerships, Pallium India), the webinar hosted 4 young and passionate panelists from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, USA and Kerala, sharing their personal experiences on caregiving. The session touched upon the role of caregiving in Palliative Care, possible solutions that can be implemented through community participation in caregiving, challenges faced by caregivers and suggested possible ways the economy of caregiving can be more equitable for those who are in the space of caregiving.
Watch the full recording of the session at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CRQPccxk6o
National
Commemorating World Cancer Day 2025
Dr. Hashmath Farhaana, the Lead of Virtual Education from the Department of Education and Skill Building at Pallium India Trust, delivered an insightful talk on “Palliative Care in Cancer” to about 150 undergraduate and postgraduate students from the respective departments at Sadakathullah Appa College (Autonomous), Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.
Read more>>>
The Goa State Palliative Care Policy
On the occasion of World Cancer Day, Tuesday, 4th February, 2025, the Directorate of Health Services, Goa, and the Goa Medical College, launched the Goa State Palliative Care Policy.
Read more>>>
The 5M Approach to Geriatrics in Palliative Care
5M Approach to Geriatrics in Palliative Care program for MBBS/BDS doctors trained in palliative care on September 10, 2024. This initiative aims to address the complex needs of older patients facing life-limiting illnesses with a unique, holistic approach that integrates the 5 M’s of geriatrics, which was originally described by Tinetti et al, with the American Geriatric Society (AGS).
Read more>>>
Compassionate Leadership Fellowship Program: A Tale of Growth and Transformation
The ‘Compassionate Leadership Fellowship’ (CLF) is a prestigious year-long program designed to inspire, empower, influence, and transform leaders. This esteemed initiative involves partners such as Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Cairdeas International Palliative Care Trust, Global Health Academy, the University of Edinburgh, and the Indian Association of Palliative Care.
Read more>>>
Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences (TIPS), Pallium India
| Beneficiaries reached till January 2025: | 27,863 | |
| Palliative Care centres / services catalysed: | 211 | |
| Stakeholders trained (virtual and onsite): | 11,317 |
Upcoming Events, Trainings & Conferences
India Today Conclave 2025
7th & 8th March’2025, New Delhi
Openings
For more openings, visit our CAREERS page:
https://palliumindia.org/category/career
In case of queries, please write to us: career@palliumindia.org
Stay tuned for palliative care news, views and updates
Reports / News / Articles
IAPCON 2025: A perspective
The 32nd IAPCON 2025, hosted by IAPC Jammu & Kashmir in collaboration with AIIMS Jammu, centered on the theme “Evidence-Based Palliative Care.” Pallium India participated in the event with an eighteen-member team from different working fields including clinical, research, social works & community engagement, education and facilitation.
“I was privileged to receive a travel grant from IAHPC to be part of this event. I am thankful for the opportunity to attend this event and connect with different stakeholders to enhance the palliative care work in my region.”
All the sessions including the pre-conference workshops offered insightful learning. I chose to participate in the pre-conference workshop on “Spirituality in Palliative Care – The Namaste of Caring”. The session explored spiritual assessment tools through case studies, deepening insights into psychosocial interventions.
IAPCON 2025 with beautiful landscapes
The 32nd IAPCON 2025, hosted by IAPC Jammu & Kashmir and AIIMS Jammu, focused on evidence-based palliative care.
The event offered valuable insights into compassionate leadership practices, implementation challenges, and the role of palliative care in pain relief.
The standout session, “The Elephant in the Room,” addressed sexual health concerns in chronic illness by Dr.Sunil and Dr. Savita Luka. Neuro-Palliative Care sessions covered dementia, childhood epilepsy, and muscular dystrophy by Dr. Rajendra Dhamijha and Dr. Frank Ferris discussed leadership in palliative care, while Dr. Megan Doherty emphasized integration into primary healthcare. Therapeutic approaches like yoga and music therapy were explored.
One of the sessions also showcased palliative care developments in Jammu & Kashmir’s government institutions, reflecting steady progress. Along with all this learning, there were cultural events, delicious food, great weather, and a beautiful view of the surrounding landscape. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to attend this event and connect with many stakeholders to enhance palliative care services in my region. I would especially like to thank Mr. Rohit Lahori for his gracious support and hospitality on behalf of the entire Pallium India team.
Strengthening Pediatric Palliative Care
Pediatric Palliative Care at Pallium India has made remarkable strides over the past year, with around 20 programs conducted exclusively under this initiative. These efforts include medical camps, community awareness sessions, and the launch of RITHU, our flagship parent support group. The impact of these initiatives has been profound, ensuring that more children and families receive the essential care they need. Sustaining and expanding these efforts is crucial in the years ahead to reach more children requiring pediatric palliative care services.
Transforming Chronic Kidney Disease Care at the World Congress of Nephrology
The World Congress of Nephrology (WCN) 2025 hosted a transformative session on February 9th, focusing on the meaningful involvement of lived experience champions and communities in combating chronic kidney disease (CKD) and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This pivotal event illuminated the critical role of patient-centred approaches in addressing the growing burden of these conditions.
The interplay between CKD and NCDs such as diabetes and hypertension created a complex health challenge. A pivotal approach to mitigate this burden was the meaningful involvement of individuals with lived experience and robust community engagement. The session explored how to move beyond tokenistic involvement, ensuring that patient voices were not only heard but actively translated into actionable strategies.
Video of the Month
Hidden Faces of Caregiving: Uncovering Gaps and Solutions
Click here to watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CRQPccxk6o
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.
Join us in making India pain-free! Subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
Book of the Month
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Varghese
A Journey of Love, Loss, and Identity in Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.
Abraham Verghese’s Cutting for Stone is an evocative, deeply human novel that explores themes of family, identity, and the complexities of medicine against the backdrop of Ethiopia. The novel follows the lives of twin brothers, Marion and Shiva Stone, born from the turbulent union of an Indian nun and a British surgeon, both of whom carry heavy, entwined legacies. Raised in a mission hospital, the brothers are shaped by the medical world yet scarred by secrets, betrayal, and deep emotional wounds.
The novel is a testament to Verghese’s medical background, as he intricately weaves the practice of surgery and healing into the lives of his characters. From the powerful symbolism of the title to the intimate details of surgical procedures, Verghese brings both the art and the burden of medicine to the forefront. But the story is much more than just a medical drama; it is a heart-wrenching exploration of family dynamics, the bonds of brotherhood, and the search for self in a world full of fractures.
The duality of the brothers’ lives—how they each seek to understand their origins and their place in the world—mirrors the larger political and cultural landscape of Ethiopia during the mid-20th century. As the brothers navigate their own separate paths, we are given a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences, from joy to profound loss.
At its core, Cutting for Stone is about the intersection of fate and free will, the unbreakable ties of family, and the ways in which love and pain shape us. It is an unforgettable story that resonates with anyone who has ever faced the complexity of being human, with all its beauty and imperfections.
Walk with the Weary – by Dr M R Rajagopal
A masterclass in how to care for others deeply and compassionately no matter who they are, Walk with the Weary is simultaneously the story of Dr Rajagopal’s life and his calling and the world of Indian palliative care.
Palliative Care Telehealth
Call us: +91 964 588 4889 /
+91 860 688 4889
A small ‘Step’ can leave a big ‘Footprint’.
A great opportunity awaits us in the fundraising diaspora in the US!
As a Member of the Pallium India family you can make a difference with your crucial and generous support: Here’s how:
1. Fundraise: Create a customised page with a goal amount, story, image and share it with your network in the US.
2. Spread the Word: Share messages, posts about IGD in your WhatsApp Groups, & network maximizing Pallium India’s engagement & reach.
3. Donate: Got friends in the US? Share our IGD campaign requesting donations.
Visit the INDIA GIVING DAY Page to know more.
*Early Giving has Begun #March 1st
*We have prizes, & matching rewards to double the impact.
To set up fundraisers, contact: sayanditya.sen@palliumindia.org
PARTING SHOT
20/20 Peripheral Vision
I thanked God for my peripheral vision. Finding myself in the centre of a small house, with conversation buzzing all around, I stepped back. I found a vantage point that gave me vision into three separate rooms, to three separate conversations addressing a husband, wife and daughter.
Only that morning I had seen determined eyes, the ones I had read about in ‘Walk with the Weary’. Dr Rajagopal was readying his team. He knew the girl well, a promising young student, at the top of her class and destined for a career in medicine. Only she had dropped out of school to help at home due to her parent’s ill health.
Two hours later I stood in their kitchen. If I had understood Malayalam I might have been tempted to step into one of the conversations, but instead, I sat back and marvelled at the hum of activity, a new experience of holistic care; not addressing the physical, psychological, social and spiritual suffering of one person, but an entire family.
The clear chest and protuberances on her father’s ankles were re-assuring signs that his heart was compensating but his exercise tolerance was poor and unlikely to get better. There was little chance of returning back to his work as a rubber tapper. The doctors explained to me a story filled with heart-ache, a family forged in relative isolation out of the stigma of disability. I glanced over and met the young girl’s eyes for a moment, before she quickly looked away, drawn back to the community nurse whom she trusted after many years of conversation. We left the house with the hope of a girl returning to her education, and a community stepping up to support a struggling mother and father.
One of the first things I suppose many Western healthcare professionals notice when entering TIPS is the ‘two-bed’ situation. The inpatient unit is described as a 14-bedded unit. Odd, because I saw 28 beds. Nothing could demonstrate a vision of ‘socialised’ palliative care and an enshrined family unit more clearly than this. Looking back now at the five weeks I spent in India, visiting five states and nine healthcare institutions, the ‘two-bed’ phenomenon remains as distinctive as before. Such a commitment to the family unit has its challenges: The double edged sword of preserving the ‘relational aspect of being’ while addressing the complex phenomenon of collusion. If any team is worthy of wielding such a sword it is the team I found at Pallium. Compassionate and wise, built on clear vision (including the peripheries) to use the head, heart and hands in the service of their community. Thank you Pallium for hosting me, and may God bless you!
Josh Walker is a specialist in internal medicine, who has taken a year after MRCP accreditation in the UK to travel and learn before embarking on higher speciality medical training. He is interested in Ageing, Frailty and Palliative Care. As an anthropology enthusiast, he is searching for different visions of life and death- exploring different socio-cultural perspectives.
He recently visited Pallium India and other palliative care organizations in South India. He can be reached at joshuad.walker@outlook.com .
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