The ‘Telangana State Chapter of the IAPC’ inaugurated on 29th June, 2024
We are happy to report that the ‘Telangana State Chapter of the IAPC’ was inaugurated formally on Saturday, 29th June, 2024, at an event held at Raddison Blu Plaza Hotel, in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana.
Dr M Srinivasulu (Director, MNJ Institute on Oncology (MNJ) and Regional Cancer Center, Hyderabad), Dr K Krishnaih (CEO, Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute (BIACHRI), Hyderabad), and Dr B V Manjula (Secretary, Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society (PRCPS), Hyderabad) graced the occasion as Chief Guests. Dr N Tej Lohit Reddy (IAS, Executive Director, Footwear Design and Development Institute, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Telangana), Dr M Subrahmanyam (Long term Trustee, Sparsh Hospice; Director, Anaesthesia, Rainbow Hospitals, Hyderabad) and Dr Sreekala Nambiar (Joint Secretary, Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society, Hyderabad) were invited to the event as Guests of Honour.
Dr Praneeth Suvvari (Consultant In-charge, Department of Pain and Palliative Care, BIACHRI, Hyderabad; Central Council Member (South Zone), IAPC) welcomed the audience and presented the objectives of the State Chapter along with highlighting the future and scope of Palliative Care in the State.
Next, several dignitaries were invited to share the inception and growth of palliative care in the State, which also included insights into the journey travelled (since their inception till date) by institutions such as MNJ, Sparsh Hospice, BIACHRI, and PRPCS. Additionally, the dignitaries also highlighted the importance of establishing a State Chapter to facilitate the integration of palliative care services across the State and at various levels to ensure access and continuous supply of pain relief medications to patients spread across the State.
Dr Tej Lohith Reddy was invited to unveil the logo of the Telangana State Chapter.
Dr Gayatri Palat (Professor and Head, Department of Pain and Palliative, MNJ, Hyderabad) then addressed the gathering regarding the need to adopt a Multidisciplinary approach while providing Palliative Care services. She also expressed gratitude and acknowledged the efforts of all those who had offered dedicated palliative services since the inception of the IAPC.
An interesting panel discussion on neuropathic pain followed next. The panel was represented by residents of DNB in Palliative Medicine from MNJ and BIARCHI and included Dr Aakash, Dr Arjun, Dr Archana, Dr Divya, Dr Pallavi, Dr Ravali, Dr Rituparno, and Dr Sowmya.
The election of the office bearers to the newly formed State Chapter followed the panel discussion. The Office Bearers of the Telangana State Chapter of the IAPC as follows:
President – Dr Gayatri Palat
Secretary – Dr Praveen Kumar K
Treasurer – Dr Anjaneyulu
Committee Members:
- Ms Anusha Cheekati
- Ms Dasari Priya Kumari
- Mr Eshwaranna Kurva
- Dr Manjula Bhagavatula
- Dr Praneeth Suvvari
- Ms Shubha Pai Kaduhole
- Ms Vennela Padma
The event concluded with a few bereaved family members, Ms Bhargavi, and Mrs and Mr Rajeev, sharing their first-hand experience about the need and importance of palliative care to provide comfort to their loved ones and the positive impact and satisfaction they savoured while fulfilling the final wishes of their loved one.