April 2026
This World Health Day 2026, the theme “Together for health; stand with science” is a powerful reminder that better health outcomes are built on trust in science, in systems, and in each other. At a time when misinformation and inequities continue to challenge healthcare access, standing with science means championing evidence-based care, informed decision-making, and compassion in action.
It also calls for collective responsibility, where communities, caregivers, and health professionals come together to ensure that no one is left behind. Because meaningful, lasting change in health is only possible when we move forward together.
From Dr M. R. Rajagopal’s Desk: On World Health Day
World Health Day falls on April 7, 2026. The theme is, ‘Together for health; stand with science’.
The relevance of the theme is obvious. People deserve the best. And the best has to be based on scientific facts and certainly not on superstitions. Having said that, we would add that scientific practices should be tempered with compassion. Blind application of science – like the blind application of anything on earth – can add to suffering. Shortcomings of available evidence must be remembered. In the field of palliative care, 93.5% of all evidence is created in Euro-American countries. The rest of the world accounts only for 6.5% of scientific publications. Therefore, available evidence may be skewed and much suffering in the low and middle income world ignored.
One more point to be remembered – the value of ‘One Health’ approach to healthcare. Healthcare for humans cannot stand in isolation distinct from the environment. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how animal health is related to human health. We humans have to learn to live in harmony with animals, plants and the environment. This has to be an inevitable part of the scientific approach that the World Health Day theme advocates.
Finally, we would remind everyone of the definition of health by the World Health Organization as ‘physical, social and mental well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’ Concentrating on diseases forgets human suffering. As the World Health Assembly (the decision making body of WHO) resolved in 2014, palliative care needs to be integrated into all healthcare.
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Beyond the Sessions: Reflections from the Field
When Silence Speaks
A Reflection on Care, Compassion, and Responsibility
Today, I lost a patient.
For many, it may have been just another ordinary weekend. But for me, it is a moment of deep reflection—a moment that feels personal, heavy, and difficult to process. I find myself questioning not just what happened, but what I might have missed.
I had seen him during my daily visit but failed to recognise the depth of his suffering. I told myself he was ’just another client.’ I moved on, as we often do, guided by routines, responsibilities, and the demands of our roles. Today, I realise that behind what seemed normal, there may have been a silent struggle I failed to notice.
We live in a world where people often appear ’fine.’ Smiles are worn easily, conversations remain surface-level, and pain is hidden beneath layers of resilience. Yet, many endure deep emotional suffering in silence, unseen, unheard, and unaddressed.
What Punch the Monkey Taught Us
Addressing Loneliness in Palliative Care and the Importance of Presence
Last two months, the internet has been flooded with the image of a little monkey holding on tightly to his orange orangutan toy, carrying it everywhere and cuddling it for warmth and comfort.
This is the story of Punch, a baby macaque born at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan and abandoned by his mother shortly after his birth. Abandoned by his mother and the clan, Punch was left alone to navigate the world that lay in front of him. Seeing how Punch was slowly becoming an outcast and had no one to tend to or care for him the caregivers of the zoo gave him an orangutan plushie. Thereafter, this one inanimate toy became Punch’s mother and companion. Millions were moved by the sight of Punch finding his warmth in a toy that could not breathe, speak or respond.
The story of Punch is more than just a viral moment. It mirrors our own human experiences and how presence matters. To Punch, the toy was not merely an inanimate object it was presence and something he could hold onto in his loneliness, and for Punch that was enough.
IAPCON 2026 – A Delegate’s Reflection
IAPCON 2026 in Hyderabad was not just a conference for us — it was a collective representation of Pallium India’s philosophy, people and practice.
We attended as a multidisciplinary team, and what made this year particularly meaningful was not merely our presence, but our active contributions across tracks.
My Role
I had the privilege of serving as faculty in the pre-conference workshop, where we engaged in practical discussions on home-based palliative care — a space deeply aligned with Pallium India’s service model. The workshop was interactive, grounded in field realities, and energising.
During the main conference, I was honoured to serve as a Chairperson in the Home Care Track. The discussions around integrating home-based services into community systems, strengthening transitions from hospital to home, and addressing operational challenges resonated strongly with our work. Chairing that session felt less like moderating a panel and more like witnessing a movement that is steadily gaining momentum.
Going Beyond the Board and Boundaries
Checkmate for Palliative Care – Global Edition! India Giving Day 2026
On March 8th, International Women’s Day, the Checkmate for Palliative Care initiative went global, thanks to the India Giving Day 2026.
An awareness campaign for palliative care led by Karina Grace from Sishya School in Chennai, and Beyond Grades, shaped into a global cause drawing players, enthusiasts and supporters from across the world to join the chess tournament. The first edition of Checkmate for Palliative Care was arranged online in January this year. The second edition organised under the banner of India Giving Day 2026 and was received well globally.
Close to 60 participants from USA, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and India, signed up for the online tournament, held on March 8th, Sunday from 8:30pm IST | 7:am PST.
The hour-long online tournament on Lichess.org saw 140 games played in total among 38 participants, with 7942 moves and an average rating of 1280.
- The winner from the previous edition, Revlin Ram, a 9th grader from Tamil Nadu topped the leaderboard again, finishing No.1 with a 100% win rate.
- Ayham Syed, a school student from UAE, finished second with a win rate of 64%.
- Pranav Shankar from the United States finished third on the leaderboard with a win rate of 60%.
From Abandonment to Assurance
Uday (name changed) was born into a poor family with hopes and dreams like any other first child. However, those dreams were soon challenged when he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, a severe neurological condition. In their search for answers, the parents attributed the condition to consanguinity.
In a deeply distressing turn of events, when he was just a month old, his mother left home leaving Uday in the care of his father and grandparents. Unable to cope with the child’s complex needs, the father too stepped away, leaving him in the care of his elderly grandmother—a widow who had already endured significant loss. Despite her circumstances, she embraced the child with immense love and dedication, raising him as her own.
Rithu Parents Meeting on Livelihood Support
Strength in Caregiving and Lived Experiences
It has been just over a month since I began working with the children’s palliative care team, and it already feels like the beginning of a deeply meaningful journey. Each day brings new learning, new questions, and quiet moments that stay with me long after the day ends.
I first met many of these families through ‘Rithu’ in January, a space created for parents who walk a long and uncertain path with their children who were our patients. The name ‘Rithu’, meaning seasons, carries a gentle reminder that no winter lasts forever. It represents change, resilience, and hope.
Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences (TIPS), Pallium India
| Beneficiaries reached till October 2025: | 31,682 | |
| Palliative Care centres / services catalysed: | 226 | |
| Stakeholders trained (virtual and onsite): | 13,214 |
Annadanam: Meals Full of Love
Celebrate your birthday, anniversary, or honour the memory of a loved one by sharing a warm meal with patients and caregivers at Pallium India’s In-Patient Unit. Your gesture will nourish 20 patients and 20 caregivers (40 beneficiaries) with love and care. Each meal you sponsor is a gift of care, love, and nourishment for patients and their families.
Upcoming Events, Trainings & Conferences
Openings
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Stay tuned for palliative care news, views and updates
Reports / News / Articles
Highlights from the SIF PACT Module 3 Workshop
Advancing Palliative Care Through Collaboration and Innovation
Palliative care plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with serious and life-limiting illnesses. Strengthening this important field in India, Pallium India, in partnership with the Singapore International Foundation (SIF), successfully conducted the PACT (Palliative Care Accessibility Core Training) Program – Module 3. The workshop was held at Sparsh Hospice, Hyderabad, from 9th to 12th March 2026, and brought together 30 healthcare professionals from across India. The program fostered a collaborative and engaging environment for learning, skill development, and knowledge exchange.
India Giving Day 2026: A Collective Story of Compassion
On March 13th the 2026 edition of the India Giving Day witnessed 52 non-profit entities in the US participating, with the donation window open from March 1st, for a two-week long event based fundraising initiative.
For Pallium India USA, this year felt less like a campaign and more like the culmination of a shared journey—one shaped by generosity, community, and a deep commitment to care. An experience both humbling and inspiring.
Mizoram’s NPPC: Science and Compassion in Action
When we speak of One Health, One Humanity, we are reminded that health is not confined to hospitals or clinics – it extends into homes, communities, and the systems that connect them. Mizoram’s implementation of the National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC) since 2016 exemplifies this integrated vision, where science and compassion converge to support people living with serious illness.
My Journey Through Tribal Villages of Nandurbar
As part of the ongoing efforts of Pallium India to strengthen palliative care initiatives across the country, I recently had the opportunity to visit Nandurbar, a predominantly tribal district in Maharashtra, characterised by hilly terrains, forest cover, poor connectivity, extreme poverty, marginalization and scattered habitation. The visit aimed at understanding grassroot efforts and exploring possibilities for strengthening community-based care in underserved regions. During the visit, I interacted with the dedicated team of Karuna Evam Shanti Vahini (KeSV), an organization working to serve communities living in geographically challenging and remote areas. Discussion with their team members provided insights into the challenges and their commitment to addressing the needs of tribal populations.
Pallium India at SPARKEY Walkathon, Nashik (Maharashtra)
On 1st March 2026, SPARKEY Palliative Care, Nashik, organised a Walkathon to raise awareness and support for palliative care as well as for people living with Parkinson’s Disease. The event brought together patients, caregivers, healthcare professional and community members in a shared spirit of compassion and solidarity.
Represented by Regional Facilitator, Sunanda Samal, Pallium India set up a stall with two informative standees – one explaining what the organisation does and another focusing on Advance Medical Directive (AMD). These displays attracted considerable interest from participants who were eager to learn about palliative care and patient rights.
The response was encouraging. Six copies of the book “Walk with the Weary” were sold out from the stall and four individuals filled up the form to register for Advance Medical Directives, signing it under guidance of advocates from SPARKEY team.
Collaborative efforts between organizations like SPARKEY and Pallium India can strengthen community awareness and empower people to make informed choices about their care.
Palliative Care Awareness at the Rotary District Conference, Haridwar
On 28th February and 1st March, the Rotary District Conference (RI District 3080) held in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, served as an important platform to raise awareness about the importance of palliative care and the role communities can play in supporting individuals with serious illnesses.
Representing the palliative care initiative, Regional Facilitator Mehak Chopra and Rajendra Dutt Bijalwan-Pallium India participated in the conference to engage with Rotarians, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. The visit aimed to introduce the concept of palliative care, highlight the urgent need for compassionate care services, and encourage Rotary members to become active volunteers and advocates.
The participation was supported and guided by Rtn. Dr. Parvesh K. Sablok, District Chairman – Palliative Care, and Rtn. Dr. Neena P. Sablok, who have been actively promoting palliative care awareness within the Rotary network.
Video of the Month
India Giving Day 2026 | Thank You: Message from Dr. M R Rajagopal
Dr. M. R. Rajagopal (Founder & Chairman Emeritus, Pallium India) extends a heartfelt message, thanking the community of supporters and presents some highlights from India Giving Day 2026.
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.
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Book of the Month
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down: A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures
Written by Anne Fadiman, this non-fiction explores the clash between a small county hospital in California and a refugee family from Laos over the care of Lia Lee, a Hmong child diagnosed with severe epilepsy. Lia’s parents and doctors both wanted the best for Lia, but their ideas about the causes of her illness and its treatment could hardly have been more different. The Hmong see illness and healing as spiritual matters linked to virtually everything in the universe, while medical community marks a division between body and soul, and concerns itself almost exclusively with the former. The dichotomy between the Hmong’s perceived spiritual factors and the Americans’ perceived scientific factors comprises the overall theme of the book.
Lia Lee died on August 31, 2012. She was thirty years old and had been in a vegetative state since the age of four. Until the day of her death, her family cared for her lovingly at home.
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
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Parting Shot
Co-Building Hope and Harmony
Pulling Together, Even When It’s Hard
There is a kind of silence I have come to recognise in palliative care. Not the peaceful kind people often imagine, but a dense, heavy silence. The kind that sits between a beneficiary and their family when no one knows what to say next. The kind that follows a difficult conversation. The kind that holds fear, anger, denial, and sometimes a quiet acceptance.
I first encountered that silence at the Baptist Christian Hospital in Tezpur, Assam. I was still trying to understand what it meant to be a social worker in a palliative care setting. I thought I had to do something all the time, offer solutions, say the right things, make sense of what was happening. But the work quickly taught me otherwise.
I remember sitting with a young girl in end-of-life care during a home care visit. There was so much distress in that room, hers, her sister’s, her mother’s, ours. She was disoriented at times, on oral morphine, slipping in and out of reality, asking questions that none of us could answer. Why me? Why now? There was anger, there was fear, there was a kind of helplessness that felt almost physical.
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