C3PaC Team AIIMS Bathinda, under the leadership of Dr Mayank Gupta (Lead C3PaC project) kickstarted World Hospice Palliative Care week celebrations by organizing a meet and greet session of community palliative care supporters (ASHAs, SMO, LHVs, CHOs, Rotary, CanSupport, philanthropist). In recognition of their hard work and dedication, several CHOs and ASHA workers were felicitated for their outstanding contributions to palliative care in the community. Local NGOs, which have been providing crucial social support to patients and their families, were also honoured during the event.

Dr Mayank Gupta and Psychologists, Medical social workers and Oncology dieticians from the team sensitized them on psycho-social issues faced and means to address the same. To mark the significance of the day, a tree was planted at CHC Goniana, symbolizing the establishment of strong roots for palliative care in the region. This symbolic gesture reflected the hope that palliative care services will continue to grow and flourish, leading to an improved quality of life for cancer patients in the future.