From The National Information Officer’s Desk
Care and Empathy has been the core values of IAPC. Dear members, over the last two years, as NIO, for IAPC, I have witnessed the above values enshrined in every activity of the association. IAPC has been touching the lives of hundreds of the needy every day and there has been a constant endeavour to spread the message of humanity, dignity and empathy at every level of our society. There has been a steady increase in the number of trained members and volunteers who are instrumental in making a marked progress in palliative care in rural India where it was woefully inadequate.
Seniors and founding members of IAPC have been regularly taking up educational programmes across the length and breadth of the country, thereby helping to spread the concept of palliative care at all strata of our society. Palliative care is truly a great concept. Palliation, we will all need at a certain stage of our life. So, let us carry forward this good work, show care for the needy, love and empathy for the weak and provide dignity to humanity. I am sure, ”Together we can”.
Long Live IAPC
Mini Saha
NIO, IAPC
News and Events
Congratulations! Delhi Palliative Care Forum is all set to make a difference in the Capital of India
Being the capital of the country the need of creating Delhi Palliative Care Forum was recognized. The aim was to bring all organizations, physicians, nurses, volunteers and paramedical staff working in palliative care in Delhi and NCR under one common umbrella.
The first meeting held on 25/05/2019 at 11AM at IRCH, AIIMS.
We all came together with the common three primary goals:
- To reach each and every patient of Delhi and NCR who needs Palliative care.
- To improve End of Life care in every segment of medical care.
- To keep ourselves updated with most recent advances happening in area of Palliative care by keeping regular academic meetings.
Our secondary goals were:
- To know each other and to make common platform where we can discuss difficult patients and to develop appropriate referral system.
- To celebrate festival of Palliative Care “World Hospice and Palliative Care day” with everyone working in area of Palliative care in Delhi and NCR.
- To increase IAPC membership, as it is mandatory to become IAPC member to attend regular meetings.
- To strengthen Palliative care support group of survivors and family members of our patients.
As IAPC registration was mandatory for attending this meeting, many new members were added to IAPC with in a day. The bigger organizations were encouraged to register under IAPC. At the end of the meeting everyone was very enthusiastic and wanted to work together to improve status of Palliative care in Delhi and NCR.
Congratulations! Deepa, Guarav and Megha and everyone for the wonderful initiative and thank you very much to all who have attended and shown interest to work together to develop functioning of Delhi Palliative Care Forum.
Basic course in Essentials of palliative care conducted by IAPC in AIIMS, Bihar
AIIMS,Bihar has started conducting CCEPC course for doctors and nurses in palliative care, as the first batch was imparted training on 11th and 12th May 2019. The Course co-ordinators were, Dr. Umesh Kumar Bhadani and Dr. Chandini Sinha, both from the department of anesthesiology.
‘ANANTHAKRIPA’ a project of Sevabharathi Thiruvanthapuram for poor patients and their bystanders accompanying them at Medical college TVM, RCC, SAT and Sri Chitra has started functioning from 1st May 2019. This shelter home will provide accommodation and food free of cost to around 150 people at a time. This three storeyed building also includes a kitchen and ambulance is also available for Anadanam to help poor patients in the medical College campus.
Cansupport Cancer Center has started home care palliative services in Bhatinda district of Punjab from 6th May, 2019. It is open Monday to Friday between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm.
Cansupport Cancer Centre Helpline: Amritsar – +91 9501887956 | Bathinda – +91 9315905178 | Delhi – +91 11 41010539; +91 9899011212 | www.cansupport.org
International Nurse’s Day
A week long celebrations at Karunashreya, Bangalore, concluded with lighting the lamp. The administrative staff performed a dance and skit for the nurses. It was a way of thanking them for all the efforts they put in throughout the year in caring the patients.
Nurses Day Award at Rajagiri Hospital
Sr. Simi Varghese who coordinates Palliative Home Care Services at Rajagiri Hospital, was awarded the ‘Rajagiri Nurse of the Year 2019’.
Well done Sr. Simi and team!
Volunteer Training Programme in the North East
More than 40 voulnteers were imparted training in palliative care on 23rd and 24th May, 2019 at State Cancer Institute, GMC, Assam by Dr. Dinesh Chandra Goswami, Dr. Kabindra, Dr. Sabitri , Dr. Kalpajit as faculties from SCI and Dr. Arun Deka as coordinator.
Volunteer Training Programme in Kerala
General Hospital, Thrissur, completed two days volunteer training exclusively for college students. St Thomas college and MES Asmabi college took part. These students also accompany NHC teams of General hospital and local PHC.
Cancer Pain and Palliative Care Unit inaugurated in Kurnool
The first integrated palliative care unit in any government hospital in Andhra Pradesh has been inaugurated under the Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, KMC-GGH, Kurnool, with Dr. Prakash as HOD. As reported, Dr. Gayatri Palat and her team has been instrumental in the successful opening of the unit. The service consists of 10 bedded spacious IP facility, OP and home care in the region. The kind of support received from the people and the government was simply amazing.
The Infrastructure and administration has been provided by the hospital. Staff, training, day to day running and supervision is carried out by NGO Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society and supported by Age care Foundation. IAPC Congratulates Dr. Gayatri and her team!
Home based palliative care on revamp route: Hyderabad
State Health department extends medical assistance to 12 immobile / bedridden persons in the comfort of their homes on a daily average.
Courtsey: The Hindu, 16th May. For details visit this link.
Volunteer Certificate Course at Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, Patna, Bihar
Dr Rita Rani, Senior consultant, Radiation Oncologist, Palliative Care Incharge, Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, Patna, Bihar, is initiating a volunteer certificate course in this hospital. The dates will be announced soon.
First batch of resident doctors of MD Palliative Medicine
Resident doctors of the first batch of MD Palliative Medicine have joined the department of Palliative Medicine, GCRI, Ahmedbad. This would be regarded as an important milestone as the first MD initiative sanctioned by MCI after 2011.
Volunteer training for AYUSH-PC by IAPC
IAPC has accorded approval for the national workshop on AYUSH-PC in South India, under the leadership and initiative of Mr. Radhakrishnan Menon, CC member, south zone.
Anna palliative care Center, Kulasekharam, Kanyakumari has given permission to conduct the national workshop. Dates for the workshop will be announced soon.
Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Center, New Delhi
RGCIRC, fortified in House Pain management, Palliative care and Infection Control Programme has been recognized as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO), by the Deptt. Of Science and Technology, Govt. of India and offers 3 days free course, as announced By Bablesh Mahawar.
For details and registration, kindly log on to: http://www.rgcirc.org/training-calender/
Forthcoming Events
Attitude Ethics Communication (AETCOM) Training
‘Training of the Trainers Workshop’ will be held on 6th and 7th June’19, at KMC Manipal. AETCOM is newly introduced curriculum by MCI effective from August’19. Although the training is meant for KMC faculty, some seats have been reserved for external participants as well. There would be no registration charge for this program. Faculty teaching MBBS students in the future would be benefited by this.
IAPC Annual Conference, IAPCON 2020, Guwahati
The 27th International Conference of Indian Association of Palliative Care is being organized in Guwahati. You are all cordially invited.
Dates: February 14, 15 & 16 of 2020.
Venue: GMCH Auditorium Complex, Assam.
For details, kindly log on to: iapcon2020.com
For donations to the IAPC, for further information write to nioiapc@gmail.com
Visit us at https://palliativecare.in/iapc-annual-conference-iapcon-2020/ and send your comments and queries.