Published on: June 27, 2026

SSSJGIMS Almora Leads the Way

Access to quality palliative care remains a challenge for many patients living in the remote and mountainous regions of Uttarakhand. Against this backdrop, Sri Soban Singh Jeena Government Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre (SSSJGIMS), Almora, has emerged as a pioneering institution committed to ensuring that people living with serious illness receive compassionate, holistic care closer to home.

Recognising the growing need for palliative care services in the region, the institution took proactive steps to build capacity among its healthcare professionals and integrate palliative care into routine clinical services. Faculty members and healthcare staff participated in structured training programmes to strengthen their knowledge and skills, while Dr. Urmila Palaria, Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology, further advanced the institution’s expertise through specialised fellowship training in palliative medicine. These efforts laid the foundation for the establishment of dedicated Palliative Care Outpatient (OPD) and Inpatient (IPD) Services at Base Hospital, Almora. The institution also successfully completed the process required to become a Recognized Medical Institution (RMI), ensuring access to essential medications, including oral morphine, for patients experiencing severe pain.

A recent observation visit highlighted the significant progress achieved by the team. The Palliative Care OPD and IPD services were functioning effectively, with systematic documentation and robust opioid management practices reflecting the institution’s commitment to quality care and regulatory compliance

Importantly, the team is already looking beyond hospital-based services. During discussions, Dr. Urmila Palaria and her colleagues emphasised the urgent need for home-based palliative care in the Kumaon region, where difficult terrain and long travel distances often prevent patients from accessing timely care. Their vision is to develop a community-oriented home care programme that can reach patients and families in some of Uttarakhand’s most remote areas.

The visit concluded with a stakeholder meeting involving Dr. Chandra Prakash Bhaisora, Principal of SSSJGIMS, Dr. Urmila Palaria, Dr. Aditya Chauhan, and other faculty members. Discussions centred on future opportunities to strengthen and expand services, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding under the BPCL-supported initiative.

Under the leadership of Dr. Chandra Prakash Bhaisora and with the dedicated efforts of Dr. Urmila Palaria, Dr. Aditya Chauhan, and their colleagues, SSSJGIMS has demonstrated how a medical institution can champion palliative care in a geographically challenging region. The newly signed MoU marks another important step towards expanding access to compassionate, person-centred care for patients and families across the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand.

As the institution continues to expand its services and explore innovative approaches such as home-based care, it is paving the way for a future where quality palliative care is accessible to all who need it, regardless of where they live.

Note:
Key programmes that contributed to this journey include:

• Global Fellowship in Palliative Medicine (GFPM) – Dr. Urmila Palaria
• Foundation Course in Palliative Medicine (FCPM) – Doctors trained under the BPCL-supported initiative
• Foundation Course in Palliative Nursing (FCPN) – Nursing officers trained under the BPCL-supported initiative

Need Support with RMI Recognition? Pallium India has supported hospitals and medical colleges across India in navigating the RMI application process and strengthening systems for safe opioid availability and use. Connect with Rajendra Bijalwan

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