| MARCH 2009 |
NEWSLETTER
IAPC SECRETARIAT
Official Newsletter of the Indian Association of Palliative Care |
|
|
| a |
MESSAGE
FROM THE SECRETARY |
|
|
Dear Friends,
It was nice meeting many of you at the 16th International Conference of IAPC at AIMS, New Delhi. Those were memorable three days! Many thanks to the organising team led by Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar.
It was interesting to watch the interactions between the delegates out side the conference halls. Delegates from India and abroad, doctors, nurses, volunteers and others interacted with each other, exchanged pleasantries, information, ideas and visiting cards.This is one good aspect of such conferences - meeting people. But I wonder how many of these interactions lead to any fruitful developments.
|
|
How many of these dialogues continue? We promise to see each other after 12 months but hardly any communication happen in between. In the era of “communication explosion” we can and we should always find ways to keep in touch with each other.
This newsletter is an effort to keep in touch and share information with all the members and well wishers of IAPC. IAPC website has a Discussion Forum. Members and others can make use of this forum to continue the conversation that were initiated or start some thing new. The registration is free.I welcome all the newly elected members to the Central Council. |
|
For the first time we have a balanced representation from each region and I hope this will strengthen IAPCs organisational structure.
I thank, Dr. Mathews Numpeli, Dr. Aarti Patel, Ms. Kumari Thankam, Ms. Saroja G and Dr. Mohanasundaram the members of Central Council who finished their tenure and Dr. Jacob Alexander who was the editor of IJPC. Their contributions, especially at this phase of new developments and activities in the organisation, were invaluable. Will be in touch. RegardsAnil. |
|
|
|
|
| CONFERENCE INFORMATION |
CURRENT IAPC EC MEMBERS |
IAPC Conference 2010 Announced
The 17th International Conference of Indian Association of Palliative Care will be held at Thiruchirapally (Trichy), Tamil Nadu from 12th to14th February 2010.
The objective of the conference is to update the palliative care today and to have a vision for tomorrow. The theme is “light up the twilight years necessitating “Bringing the excellence for the elderly”
For other details and registration please contact the organsing secretary of the conference,
Dr. T. Mohanasundaram,
Sudharsana Palliative Care Hospital, 119-D,
Palayam Bazar, Woraiur, Trichirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India:
0431-2761171.
Email: mohan.sudharsana@gmail.com.
Web: www.palcontrichy.com |
|
|
|
|
|
The activities of Project Kiran was showcased in a session held on 14th February. Its relevance, various components, achievements were discussed at this well attended session.
At the inaugural function, Dr. Karan Singh Yadav eminent cardiothoracic surgeon and Member of Parliament was the chief guest and Dr. Surinder Singh, Drugs Controller General of India was the Guest of Honour. Dr. Cecilia Sepulveda, Head of Cancer Division, WHO, Geneva gave the oration. At the function Dr. Sepulveda and Ms. Gilly Burn, Founder Director, Cancer relief India were presented mementoes in recognition of their contribution to the development of palliative care in India. Dr. Mrs. V M Devakar, the iconic anaesthesiologist and Dr. G K Rath, Director, BRAIRCH also graced the function. Earlier Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar, Organising Secretary of the conference welcomed the guests and delegates. Prof. Sukdev Nayak, President, IAPC presided over the function and Dr. Anil Kumar Paleri, Hon. Secretary, IAPC delivered vote of thanks.
A work shop for National faculty, review meeting of the IAPC Certificate Course, IAPC Central Council meeting, Annual General Body Meeting of Indian Association of Palliative Care for the year 2009 was also held during these days at different venues at AIIMS. |
Cultural Programmes |
|
Cultural progrmmes were also arranged as part of the conference which was a mix of traditional and classical art forms from across the country, many performed by delegates. |
| International Award Winners |
 |
Mr. Praveen M G, from the Institute of Palliative Medicine , Kozhikode , kerala won third prize of the International Journal of Palliative Nursing/Service User/ Carer/ Volunteers Awards 2009. Ms. Jhinarani Mishra from Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre in Orissa, India was runner up in the palliative care Nurse of the Year Category.
|
|
|
|
 |
| Inaugural Session of the IAPC Conference 2009 |
The 16th International conference of Indian Association of Palliative Care was held at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi from 13th to 15th February 2009. 600 delegates including 52 from foreign countries participated in the conference. Nearly half of the participants were Volunteers working with palliative care services. This annual event brings together doctors, volunteers, nurses, social workers, counselors, researchers and others working in the field of palliative care from all over the globe. The conference provided a platform for delegates to share their views and experiences and to peruse their practices with a new out look and also contribute to the palliative care development in the country.
The theme of the conference was “freedom from pain” and the objective was to improve knowledge base and clinical skills in addressing the issues of pain in cancer and HIV/AIDS patients.
The scientific content of this conference focused on how to incorporate the principles of Pain Management in Palliative Care. This gave an opportunity for doctors, nurses and other health care professionals to have a good overview of these issues and pertinent subjects.
The three day conference was divided into parallel sessions. Experts from different countries presented papers on important topics. 21 sessions were held with a pre conference cadaveric workshop in Interventional Pain Management techniques for cancer patients on 12th February.
A total of 56 invited lectures were taken by world renowned faculty and 135 free papers covering a spectrum of topics that represent the truly multi disciplinary nature of the field. The lecture topics included various aspects of pain management, paediatric palliative care and recent advances. All the lectures and abstracts were compiled and edited in a separate Manuscript book “Freedom from Pain. |
|
|
|
| World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2009 |
Voices for Hospices |
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day will be held on 10th October 2009 The central theme of this year’s event is “discovering your voice”. Any body can get involved in World Hospice and Palliative Care Day and raise awareness and funds for their local hospices and Palliative Care Services.
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is a unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world. The programme is organised by a committee of the Worldwide Palliative Care Alliance, a network of hospice and palliative care including national and regional organisations that support the development of hospice and palliative care worldwide. The Day is facilitated by Help the Hospices, the UK national charity for hospices.
The important objective of the programme is to hear the voices of those suffering, including people living with life-limiting illnesses, families and carers and also to hear the thoughts and ideas of funders, policy makers and advocates who can influence improving access to hospice and palliative care for those who need it. |
 |
| National Faculty Workshop on the Care of Elderly |
A national Workshop for members of the National Faculty pool in Palliative Care on the Care of the Elderly was held on12th February2009 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi .Forty-eightNational Faculty members attended the workshop. The session was led by Dr.Oommen Geeorge, Head of Health Services, Help Age India, New Delhi. At the workshop the various issues and barriers regarding the care of the elderly were discussed and it was felt that every effort should be made to apply principle of palliative care in the care of elderly as well.
The workshop was followed by review meeting of IAPC Certificate Course in Essentials of palliative care. Modification of the course hand book, contact sessions, mode of examination, changes in the question papers and setting up of a question bank were discussed. Suggestion from the WHO workshop held for modification of the course were discussed in detail and were approved. The modification will be implemented from the next batch (beginning from June2009) onwards. Who can influence improving access to hospice and palliative care for those who need it. |
|
|
The major fundraising activity for World Day 2009 is Voices for Hospices; a wave of concerts and musical events around the world. This programme takes place in connection with World Hospice and Palliative Care Day every two years.
Any event that uses the voices to raise funds and awareness for World Hospices and Palliative Care Day is classed as Voices for Hospices event. This event could be concerts from any musical genre, poetry events, drama evenings or spoken word.
|
| Aims of World Day |
 |
To share the vision to increase the availability of hospice and palliative care throughout the world by creating opportunities to speak out about the issues |
|
To raise awareness and understanding of the needs – medical, social, practical, spiritual – of people living with a life limiting illness and their families |
|
To raise funds to support and develop hospice and palliative care services around the world |
Every year approximately 70 countries take part in the celebrations with activities including public awareness raising campaigns, advocacy with policy makers, fundraising events and public launches.
|
Visit www.worldday.org for more details and for registering your event.
Also please keep the National Information Office updated on the world day programmes that you are planning and don’t forget to send us a brief report and photographs once the events are over (nio.palliative.india@gmail.com) |
| Workshop on IAPC Certificate Course |
 |
A two day National Workshop for the modification of the IAPC Basic Certificate course in Essentials of Palliative Care was organised by Institute of Palliative Medicine, Calicut on 10th and 11th February 2009 at Jawaharlal Nehru University Faculty Association Hall in JNU Campus, Delhi with the support of World Health Organisation and Delhi’s National Initiative in Palliative Care.
Ms Harmala Gupta, Chair person, Can Support, New Delhi inaugurated the workshop in the presence of Dr. Sidhamsu Kar, Consultant, WHO, Delhi and Dr. Mithila Daya Nidhi , National Consultant, National Cancer Control programme, Mnistry of Health. 28 delegates participated in the workshop. Dr. V K Jain, Dean, JNU was the chief guest at the valedictory function.
The aim of the work shop was “the modifications to the present IAPC Course.” |
|
|
|
|
| Indo Bangladesh Joint Mission in Palliative Care |
 |
|
| Signing the MOU between Institute of Palliative Medicine, India and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University,Bangladesh. |
|
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Institute of Palliative Medicine, Calicut and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Dhaka on 12th February 2009 .The MOU was signed by Dr. Sursh Kumar, Director, IPM, Calicut and Dr. Nezam Udheen Ahmad of BSSMU in a function at AIIMS, New Delhi during the 16th International Conference of Indian Association of Palliative Care in the presence of Dr. Cecilia Sepulveda, Chief of Cancer Division, WHO and Dr. Jan Stjernsward, former chief, Cancer Division, WHO. In the initial phase, IPM and BSSMU has decided to cooperate with each other to launch Academic Programmes in Palliative Care, for nurses and doctors and volunteers.
This joint venture is part of the new Indo Bangladesh Joint Mission in Palliative Care which is an umbrella organisation in palliative care in this region. The Joint mission aims at promoting a public health approach in palliative care in the sub continent and also trying to develop culturally and socially appropriate models of care, like the community based services in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India, for the bedridden and incurably ill patients in Bangladesh. The Mission has plans to hold conferences and workshops, encourage twining between palliative care units in the two countries and to develop advocacy, awareness and training programmes in the region.
|
|
| EIGTH ANNUAL FOUNDATION COURSE IN PALLIATIVE CARE |
WALK FOR LIFESTRIDE AGAINST CANCER |
CanSupport, New Delhi, for the eighth consecutive year, has organized the Foundation Course in Palliative Care on 17th & 18th January 2009, in collaboration with the Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, AIIMS, New Delhi. The basic course was followed by two specialized ones - an advanced course in Palliative Care for nurses on 24th January and a workshop on psychosocial issues in Palliative Care on 25th January. The course was sponsored by HelpAge India. At the inaugural function the chief guest Prof. K Srinath Reddy, President of the Public Health Foundation of India, released the handbook for counselors, ‘Counseling and Palliative Care,’ written by Sr. Agnes Panikulam, senior counselor and trainer at CanSupport.125 participants attended the course. |
 |
| Releasing the Handbook for Councelors. |
|
More than three thousand people participated in CanSupport’s ‘Walk for Life' - a walk to sensitize people about the growing threat of cancer in India, on 15th February 2009 at New Delhi.
|
|
The walk was flagged off at 9 am at the Central Civil Services Sports Ground,Vinay Marg by Mrs. Gursharan Kaur, wife of the Honourable Prime Minister of India. Among other dignitaries who participated in this event were Minister Kapil Sibal, the American Ambassador Mr. J Mulford, fashion designer Ritu Kumar, noted industrialist and philanthropist Mr. Chandrakant Birla and Dr. Anil Wilson, ex-principal of St. Stephen’s College.
|
|
|
|
| International Conference on Public Health and Palliative Care |
2nd International Conference on Public Health and Palliative Care |
 |
|
Pro.Allan Kellehear From University of Bath, UK Presenting paper in the Conference |
|
The first International Conference on Public Health and Palliative Care was jointly organised by Institute of Palliative Medicine( IPM), Calicut, India and University of Bath, UK on 16th and 17th of January at Calicut.
The fields of public health and palliative care have long been seen as disparate or even in opposition. But this concept is now changing. A section of public health activists had been vociferously demanding equitable distribution of primary health systems. Palliative care too has witnessed changes with movement away from the institutional based care, towards community based services. In this back ground the conference tried to draw together the vision shared by successful public health approach to palliative care experiences emerging world wide, and to out line future direction of the movement.
|
| |
|
The 2nd International Conference on Public Health and Palliative Care will be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 21st and 22nd January 2011. The conference will be jointly organised by Palliative Care Service in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (Dhaka, Bagladesh), Institute of Palliative Medicine (Calicut, India) and Department of Social and Policy Science (University of Bath, UK). Pre Conference workshop will be held on 20th January 2011.
For more details log on to http://www.pubhealthpallcare.in/ or
Contact: pubhealthpallcare@googlemail.com |
| |
|
| A HELPING HAND FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER |
Child hood Cancer day was observed in Calicut jointly by the organisation Caring for Children with cancer and Chronic illness (C4CCCI- An association for supporting children suffering with Cancer and other Chronic illness) and the Pediatric Department of Calicut Government Medical College.
Hand prints of the children of different schools and colleges and children on treatment for leukemia at IMCH, Calicut were collected and displayed on a long canvas in the City. |
|
Hundreds including students offered their support to the mission by imprinting their hands on the canvas exhibited in the city. |
|
|
|
| Application for Grant for Setting up of Palliative Care Services in India |
| GUIDELINES |
IAPC Course Update |
-
Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) will be giving grants to individuals who have undergone training in palliative care to set up palliative care services in their area/institution/organisation.
-
The applicant must be a doctor with a degree in Modern Medicine or a nurse with diploma / degree. They should have registration with their respective councils.
-
Both the nurse and doctor should have undergone training in palliative care with a minimum of 10 days of hands on training. If at the time of application either one of them has not received any training in palliative care he/she should successfully complete the IAPC certificate course with 10 days of hands-on component at the earliest.
-
The attested copies of degree/diploma certificates, registration certificates and palliative care training certificates should be submitted along with the application.
-
The applicants or the Institution / organisation supporting the services should have IAPC Membership.
-
The project proposal should contain aims, objectives, proposed budget, infrastructure needs, outcomes and plans for continuing the programme in future including financial viability. The applicant may use additional pages if the space provided is insufficient.
-
Chances of receiving the grant will depend on
- whether both the nurse and doctor have received hands on training in palliative care
- the institution/organisation supporting (financial, human resources, infrastructure) the project
- there is a clear plan for the continuation of the services including financial viability
- reference
- existing palliative care services in your area
-
The application should be written legibly or printed.
-
The application form should be complete in all respects.
-
The grant can be used to salary support of key staff, vehicle/fuel expense for running home care programmes and / or medicine and supplies.
-
The successful applicants must send activity report every three months and an annual report with financial statement to the IAPC secretariat.
-
The selected centres will be open to the evaluation visits by members / mentors appointed by IAPC.
-
These centres should maintain a registry to get a baseline as well as continued data for information and research.
-
The completed applications and correspondences in future in this regard should be sent to Hon. Secretary, Indian Association of Palliative Care, Institute of Palliative Medicine, Medical College PO, Kozhikode 673008. Kerala.
-
-
Contact address for more information:
-
Phone: 0495-3290956,2354166
Last Date for submitting application: 30th May 2009 |
The first intake for the Basic Certificate Course in Essentials of Palliative Care run by IAPC for this year will be from 1st June 2009. The examinations will be held in the last week of July or in the first week of August. For the second batch starting from 1st November 2009, the examination will be in the last week of December/ first week of January.
Now 24 regional centres all over India are conducting the course. Candidates can register through any one of these centres and can attend the contact session and examination at the same centre. The list of regional centres is available in the IAPC website or you can contact nio.palliative.india@gmail.com for details. |
|
|
|
| |
|
| Who can apply? |
Doctors who have successfully completed MBBS/BDS and nurses who have successfully completed B.Sc in Nursing/ Diploma in Nursing can apply for the course. Those candidates who are doing internship also can apply.
The course is a distance education course with duration of eight weeks. There is an optional second part, where the candidates who have successfully completed the certificate course can choose clinical placement for TEN days in a nearby palliative care unit
The Course fee: Rs. 1000
The application form for the next batch will be available from
the regional centres/www.palliativecare.in/nio.palliative.india@gmail.com from 10th April2009.
The completed application form should reach the regional centres on or before 1st May 2009. |
|
|
|
| Foot Prints Rehabilitation Project in Kerala |
Comprehensive Cancer Care Service
|
A rehabilitation project “ Foot Prints” for chronically ill, bedridden and chronic psychiatric patients in community is being initiated by Institute of Palliative Medicine , Kozhikode. In the initial phase the project covers Kozhikode corporation area.
The project is being implemented with the help of palliative care volunteers , local police and students of different colleges in the city. In the initial phase nearly 80 patients identified and registered for the project.
|
 |
|
The first training programme will begin on 20th April 2009 . After giving Vocational training to the patients raw materials will be supplied and a support system will be made for marketing the products . The products will be marketed under the Brand name “ Foot Prints”.
|
|
 |
|
Rev.Fr. Lawrence distributing the Certificates to the successful Candidates on the
IAPC Sertificates Course |
St.John’s Medical College Hospital started a new Comprehensive cancer care service on 6th March 2009. The service was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Lawrence D Souza, Director, St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences.
The Comprehensive Cancer Care facility will be staffed by the multidisciplinary cancer care team consisting of a surgical oncologist, a medical oncologist and a pain and palliative care specialist. All three specialists are available at the same time to ensure comprehensive care to the patients, in a timely manner.
During the inaugural function Rev Fr. Lawrence distributed the certificates to the successful candidates, of the IAPC certificate course in Essentials of palliative care, November 2008 Batch. |
|
|
| Delhi’s National Imitative in Palliative Care Formed |
|
Dr.Suresh Kumar Director, Institute of palliative Medicine, Calicut leading the session on community based palliative Care |
Awareness session on community based palliative care service was organised at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi by Delhi’s National Imitative in Palliative Care (DNip Care) on 11th February 2009.
Dean of JNU Prof. V K Jain inaugurated the programme. More than hundred participants attended the awareness class. JNU Cancer Department Head Rana Prathap Sing, Prof. Omcheri NN Pillai, Madhavan Nair, Babu Panicker,V k Hamsa, (Secretary, Dinip Care) A T Sainudheen (President, Dnip care) were among the participants. The programme was supported by JNU officers Association, Teachers Association, Staff Association and Students Union.
DNip Care has been working since November 2008. They have now 45 trained Volunteers
and started home care programme in Delhi. For Palliative Care Assistance and getting other details from DNip Care contact: 9891008356 and 9990227777
Course
Apply now for PG Diploma/ MSc in Palliative medicine or PG Diploma/ Msc in Palliative Care offered by Cardiff University.
For details log on
www.pallium.cardiff.ac.uk or
Contact: +44(0) 29 2019 6111
dippallmed@velinder-tr.wales.nhs.uk |
|
|
| a |
| Proceedings at the Annual General Body Meeting of IAPC held on 14th February 2009 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. |
-
Proceedings of the last AGM held at Kochi were confirmed and passed. (proposed by Dr. Linge Gowda and seconded by Mr. Praveen M. G)
-
Secretary presented the report on the activities of IAPC. This was passed after discussion. (Proposed by Dr. Dinesh Goswami and seconded by Dr. Mohanasundaram).
-
Hon. Secretary, in the absence of the treasurer, presented the accounts of IAPC. It was passed after discussion with the suggestion that every year the accounts should be audited before the AGM and summary is sent to the members along with the last newsletter. (proposed by Dr. Shyamal Sarkar and seconded by Mr. Gafoor T)
-
M/s. SVM Associates, Kozhikode was unanimously appointed as the auditor of IAPC.
-
The AGM discussed and unanimously accepted the proposals starting the state chapters in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
-
Some of the members pointed out that more clarity should be there in some of the clauses in the constitution of IAPC. The suggestion to engage a committee to look in to the constitution was accepted by the AGM. The members of the committee will be Dr. Sukdev Nayak, Dr. Nagesh Simha, Dr. Firuza Patel, Dr. Mathews Numpeli and Dr. Anil Paleri.
-
The venue of the 17th International Conference of IAPC is confirmed as Thiruchirapally, Tamil Nadu. Dr. Mohanasundaram T will be the organising secretary. The early bird registration will be opened till May 2009. Registration fee for volunteers will be Rs. 750/-
|
|
| 8 |
The venue of the 18th International Conference of IAPC was proposed to be held in Lucknow, Uttarpradesh. Mr. Piyush Gupta is proposed to be the organising secretary. Ms. Harmala Gupta pointed out that the Conferences of IAPC should be used to generate awareness about palliative care in the area/region. |
| 9 |
Elections: Following members were elected to the following posts |
| |
President Elect: Dr. S. Nagesh Simha, Bangalore
Editor Dr. Sushma Bhanagar
CC Member North: Ms. Harmala Gupta
Dr. Mohamad Ashraf Teli
CC Member West: Dr. Priya Kulkarni
CC Member East: Dr. Shyamal Sarkar
CC member N. E Mr. Hariprasad Borah |
| 10 |
Following are the new overseas representatives:
- Mr. David Praill
- Mr. Stephen Connor
- Dr. Cynthiya Goh
|
|
| PEDIATRIC PAIN AND PALLIATIVE CLINIC INAUGURATED |
 |
|
paediatric pain and palliative care clinic, the first of its kind in the state, has been started functioning at Institute of Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Calicut Government Medical College. The Clinic was formally inaugurated by Dr. T. P. Ashraf, Superintendent, IMCH on 18th February 2009. The Clinic provides free treatment to children with pain and other chronic illnesses.
.
|
|
|
| gd |
| Printed and Published Dr.Anil Kumar Paleri for Indian Association of Palliative Care. For Private Circulation Only |
| |
