Published on: June 30, 2025

When I recently joined the Facilitation team at Pallium India, I carried with me a background in paramedical sciences, having completed my Bachelor’s in Anaesthesia. My academic and clinical exposure had already sparked a keen interest in palliative care. But nothing could have prepared me for how profoundly my first home care visit in Kerala would change me — not just as a professional, but as a human being.

Until that moment, my understanding of palliative care was shaped by textbooks and hospital corridors. I believed it was largely about end-of-life support, pain management, and symptom relief. But walking into the homes of patients, I realised it was something far deeper.

Palliative care, I discovered, is not just about treating illness — it’s about seeing suffering in all its forms and responding with dignity, empathy, and humanity. I met people living with paraplegia, diabetic complications, psychiatric conditions, visual impairments, and elderly individuals left to navigate life in isolation — many from tribal and rural communities. What struck me most was that the suffering wasn’t contained within the patients alone. It quietly wrapped itself around families, caregivers, and entire households, often hidden from view.

At that moment, I understood — palliative care isn’t about disease. It’s about people.

One conversation that stays with me was with Ashla Rani, Trustee of Pallium India. She gently reminded me, “We may not always speak our emotions, but patients feel them. Compassion isn’t optional — it’s essential.” In the rush of clinical tasks, it’s easy to lose sight of this. But real care begins with presence — being there, listening, connecting, not just as a healthcare professional, but as a fellow human being.

My interaction with Dr. M.R. Rajagopal further deepened this understanding. His humility, clarity of thought, and unwavering commitment to alleviating suffering opened my eyes to the true meaning of care. His words and example reminded me that healthcare is not just about cure — it’s about compassion, dignity, and the courage to be present in another’s vulnerability.

Visiting the Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences and stepping into the homes of those we serve has reshaped my understanding completely. This work is not charity. It is a human responsibility — to stand beside those in pain, to restore dignity where it has been lost, and to carry compassion in every interaction.

I feel grateful and humbled to be part of this journey. And I carry forward the lessons I’ve learned — not just in my role at Pallium India, but in how I choose to walk through life.

A heartfelt thank you to the doctors, nurses, social workers, and every team member who made this experience meaningful. Your patient guidance and support, especially in bridging language and cultural gaps, have helped me see the true spirit of palliative care — care that goes beyond medicine, straight to the heart.