Published on: March 1, 2026

One Consultation, Many Voices, Stronger Impact

On 11 February 2026, I had the privilege of participating in the First State-Level Stakeholder Consultation Meeting organized by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in collaboration with NHM Assam and AIIMS Guwahati.

The consultation was a full-day engagement, bringing together senior officials, doctors, and institutional leaders to deliberate on strengthening health systems and advancing responses to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Invited personally by Dr Lakshmanan S, IAS, MD NHM Assam, I joined the NCD session alongside him – a gesture that reflected recognition of the importance of collaborative voices in shaping Assam’s health priorities. Conversations with Dr Amiya Kumar, State Nodal Officer, and other senior participants reinforced the value of collective action.

The meeting also opened new avenues: doctors from AIIMS Guwahati expressed interest in further collaboration, and Dr Purobi requested a follow-up discussion on the palliation course, which we plan to take forward after mid-February.

This consultation was not just about attending – it was about active engagement, persistence, and positioning palliative care within the broader public health framework of Assam. By dedicating the entire day to dialogue, networking, and planning, I contributed to ensuring that compassionate care is seen as a priority within the fight against NCDs.

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