June 2024
Welcome to the June 2024 edition of Pallium India’s newsletter. If you are a new subscriber, 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. Read previous issues of the newsletter
Follow us for palliative care news, views and updates – as & when they happen
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day Logo released!
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) 2024 will be on 12 October. The year 2024 marks 10 years since the World Health Assembly (WHO’s Governing Body) passed the only stand-alone resolution on palliative care, calling for all countries to “strengthen palliative care as a component of comprehensive care throughout the life course.” This is what inspired the theme for 2024, Ten Years Since the Resolution: How Are We Doing?
Read more: https://ehospice.com/…/world-hospice-and-palliative…/
Visit the WHPCA website for more updates: https://thewhpca.org/world-hospice-and-palliative-care-day/
Registrations Open for IAPCON 2025
Registrations Open for the 32nd Annual International Conference of the Indian Association Of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2025), scheduled for January 2025.
The theme of IAPCON 2025 is ‘Evidence-based Palliative Care’. The conference will be held at the Auditorium of AIIMS Jammu, between Friday, 31st January 2025, and Sunday, 2nd February 2025, with pre-conference workshops being scheduled for Thursday, 30th January 2025.
Read more: https://ehospice.com/…/iapcon-2025-registerations…/
Register early for IAPCON 2025: https://iapcon2025jammu.com/
A dignified death is a luxury only a few are blessed with, especially in India. In this article, Dr Rajagopal and Dr Parth discuss the factors that block access to a dignified death. Offering a living will as a solution, the authors explain its importance, and how it can improve access to dignified care. They end the article with a template that can be used to create a personalized living will to ensure the right to a dignified death.
Pallium India begins Sunday Home Care Service
In an effort to better serve our patients’ access to healthcare, we have extended our hours to include Sundays starting on May 5, 2024. On Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., a dedicated team consisting of a physician, nurse, and palliative care assistant will be on hand to attend to the requirements of our registered patients.
Our homecare is now operational seven days a week. Dr. Arjun, Sr. Nazeeba, and Mr. Muthu launched the Sunday Homecare programme.
With this program, we could address the needs of our patients even on weekends, ensuring continuity of care and timely assistance for any health concerns they may have. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing comprehensive and accessible healthcare services, acknowledging the importance of holistic care that extends beyond traditional office hours. We’re dedicated to serving our community with excellence and compassion, striving to meet the diverse needs of our patients and their families.
One Health- All for one, one for all
Dr. M.R Rajagopal, Chairman Emeritus, Pallium India was invited as a guest speaker at The Annual Management Convention of Trivandrum Management Association held on 16th & 17th of May at O by Tamara Anayara, Thiruvananthapuram. He spoke about the concept of “One Health” from a palliative care lens.
The theme of the event was Connect, Innovate and Enable a healthier future, in pursuance of the One Health concept of the World Health Organisation.
India: a peep under the surface of palliative care – Jon Baines Palliative Care Tour, South India
From Cochin, our next stop was at Trivandrum where we had the unique experience of spending two days with Pallium India. Our visit to the Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences will remain strongly etched in my memory. The inclusion of our group members in the community team’s home visits, provided invaluable insights into the issues facing patients and their families ‘on the ground’.
The following day, Dr Rajagopal, Chairman Emeritus of Pallium India spoke about the community having to be part of the organisation’s work “to create wonders” and this was evident in our visits. While the level of poverty was confronting, we also witnessed ‘hope’ and a sense of connectedness during our visits. In areas where there was such physical deprivation, we observed people moving through their lives with unwavering strength, faith and joy. Read the complete Ehospice article>>
Events / Trainings / Conferences
6 weeks Certificate Course for doctors & nurses at Trivandrum
October 7, 2024
We invite doctors and nurses to join this six weeks certificate course in pain management and palliative care, at Trivandrum.
The participants will get to take an active part in Pallium India’s inpatient, out patient and home visit programs, as well as in events and celebrations at Trivandrum, Kerala.
Doctors: MBBS or BDS
Nurses: Any recognised degree or certificate in nursing
Join the IPOS movement – ‘reshaping tomorrow’
When will we take ‘health’ seriously for what it should be – physical, social and mental well-being as defined by WHO? When will healthcare start addressing the suffering of people and not just diseases? As Eric Cassel said, persons suffer, not just bodies.
International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) invites you to join a webinar “Reshaping tomorrow” on the “status and future of global psychosocial oncology within palliative care” featuring Dr Harvey Chochinov (the founder of dignity therapy), Dr Gary Rodin of the University of Toronto and Dr M R Rajagopal of Pallium India.
Date: 19 June 2024
Time: 10-11:30 am EDT (7:30-9 pm IST)
Work for Palliative Care
Openings at Pallium India
For more openings across the country, visit our CAREERS page:
https://palliumindia.org/category/career
In case of queries, please write to us: career@palliumindia.org
When the spirit of service can move mountains: A story of courage from the Himalayas
Jatin Bhukal, Regional Facilitator of Pallium India writes:
We heard an inspirational narrative from the Art of Living team in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, which is headed by Dr. Aditi Chaturvedi and consists of highly motivated volunteers.
Someone with an amazing tale lives in a small Himachal Pradesh town. He was involved in a serious accident ten years ago. Despite the doctors’ doubts, he lived. He was unable to recall his identity for an entire year following the catastrophe. His family was always there to support and assist him.
Reflections on Leadership Building
Lalit.S, Regional Facilitator of Pallium India writes:
Embarking on the journey of self-improvement is akin to navigating uncharted waters. Recently, a workshop to enhance facilitation and leadership skills provided enlightening, humbling experiences filled with invaluable lessons worth sharing.
Uttarkashi gears up for palliative care services
Pallium India’s Regional Facilitator, Rajendra Dutt Bijalwan recently visited the district of Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand to connect with officials in charge of government hospitals and advocate for the inclusion of palliative care services in District Hospitals and CHCs (Community Health Centres).
Cross-Sector Partnerships for Community Empowerment
Sunanda Samal, Regional Facilitator of Pallium India writes:
In April 2024, Pallium India conducted a first-of-its-kind awareness session on palliative care for the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission (MSRLM. 2 sessions lasting two days each were held in Amravati and Yavatmal districts.
This is the first collaboration between Pallium India and a non-health department. It sets a significant precedence in enhancing community health and well-being through cross-sector partnerships. The commitment to collaborate was enlivened through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Pallium India and MSRLM.
1st North East Palliative Care Conclave 2024
Rontu Sangma, Regional Facilitator of Pallium India attended the 1st Palliative Care Conclave 2024 on 18th May in Guwahati, Assam. Memorable moments are captured in pictures.
Four-month training programme in Palliative Nursing for ANMs begins
A four-month training programme for Auxiliary Nurses and Midwives (ANMs) in Palliative care attended by 10 nurses has been initiated.
(In this picture James Das, Head of Physiotherapy is taking a session)
Facilitating access to Palliative Care in Haridwar and Almora
Rajendra Dutt Bijalwan, Pallium India’s Regional Facilitator-North and Dr. Arjun Devrajan, Senior Palliative Physician Clinical Services, Pallium India, had the privilege of visiting Haridwar and Almora in May to meet senior officials at different institutions. They were invited to assist with assessing the gaps in current palliative care services across two centres.
Dr. CP Tripathi (Principal Medical Superintendent) and his team at the Har Milap Government (HMG) District Hospital in Haridwar received Rajendra and Dr. Arjun on the 9th & 10th May 2024.
This was followed by a visit to the Soban Singh Jeena Govt. Medical Science and Research Centre (SSJGIMS) at the Almora Medical College on the 13th and 14th of May, where they met with Prof. (Doctor) CP Bhaisora, Principal of the college and Dr. Urmila Palaria, HOD (Anesthesia) along with their team.
Dr. Urmila and the team organised an awareness program that was attended by over 50 participants. This included junior and senior residents, doctors, nurses and staff of SSJGIMS.
Speakers from both organisations presented various aspects of palliative care and how it may be integrated with services in hospitals and Medical Colleges. Discussions included exploring potential collaborations going forward.
These were a few very enriching days for our team. They mark our continuing relationship with these institutions with whom we have been associated since February. Earlier, we worked together to facilitate access to essential opioids for pain relief.
Walk with the Weary
“Whether one is practicing Palliative care or not, whether one is from India or not, whether one is related to health care or not, I believe this is a must-read book.” – Spandana Rayala writes
Get your copy of “Walk With the Weary” (Available in Paperback and Kindle formats, globally)
Amazon IN
Amazon.Com
If you have already read the book, please leave a review on Amazon or send it to us: info@palliumindia.org
Video of the Month
Empathy: Human Connection to Patient Care
Click here to watch the video: Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care – YouTube
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.
Patients and families from anywhere in India can call Pallium India’s Telehealth helpline. Health care professionals who need advice on palliative care or pain management can call our numbers.
The service is FREE and available in English, Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil.
Our lines are open from Monday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 4pm
Call: +91 964 588 4889 / +91 860 688 4889
In case of queries, please write to us: info@palliumindia.org
Pallium India maintains a state-wise directory of institutions offering palliative care services in India. The list includes palliative care providers from community-based organisations to tertiary care institutions and cancer care centers.
The directory covers critical information like contact details including phone numbers and email addresses, availability of In-patient, Out-patient and home care services, availability of morphine, etc.
If anyone you know needs palliative care support, our directory will help you find the centre closest to you. Do take a look at Pallium India’s Palliative Care Directory and let us know (Email: info@palliumindia.org or Contact us) if any centre near you is missing.
The next academic year begins in June. This is the right time to donate & support our children’s education program.
Many of the children we support come from families that are ravaged by diseases. Our program ensures that they do not drop out of school, despite financial hardships arising from treatment costs.
Together, we can make a difference.
Donate Now!
Donate to Pallium India and lend a hand to our activities.
Donations from US can be made online at http://palliumindiausa.org/
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PARTING SHOT
Lessons from classrooms – When students make teachers think
Dr.Hashmath Farhaana, Associate-Programmes, Department of Education & Skill Building, writes:
During my session on end-of-life care, I asked all of them, “How would you like to die? – At home with your loved ones beside you, or in the hospital?”
Most students said that they want to die at home with their loved ones near them. There was one student, however, who stood up and said that he wanted to die in a hospital setting. When I asked what made him say that, he said, “It is because I believe that doctors and nurses will take care of me really well when I am at the end of my life and suffering.” I could see in his eyes the faith he had in healthcare providers.
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