World Hospice and Palliative Care Day at BIACH&RI brought together policy, creativity and compassion, with one message at its heart: care is as much about people as it is about medicine. The central event was an interactive expert panel, “Medical Use of Controlled Medicines in India: Balancing Access, Regulation and Patient Care,” graced by Dr. P. M. Yashwanth, IRS, Zonal Director, Narcotics Control Bureau. Shri Vishal Vilas Rajole, Assistant Director, and Shri Ashish Chakravarti, Superintendent, both of the NCB, joined Dr. Basanth Kumar Rayani and Dr. Vibhavari Naik (Onco Anaesthesia), and Dr. Praneeth Suvvari and Dr. Deepika Reddy Cherukuri (Pain and Palliative Medicine).

The discussion showed that access to essential medicines and safeguards against misuse can coexist when clinicians and regulators share an understanding. The day then turned from policy to expression. The art competition, “Life in the Little Things,” drew paediatric patients, families and healthcare professionals, who poured emotion onto canvas. The photography competition, “The Human Side of Care,” brought moving entries from staff, volunteers, families and healthcare professionals, capturing authentic connections within the healing space. A Hope Board added a personal touch.

Throughout the day, patients, families, healthcare professionals and volunteers pinned handwritten notes of gratitude and encouragement, turning a blank board into a collage of shared voices.