India Celebrated World Hospice and Palliative Care Day with Voices for Hospice Programme
8 October 2011
As the world observed Palliative Care Day on 8th October 2011, India had a special reason to celebrate. The new study report released on 8th October by World Wide Palliative Care Alliance (WPCA) showed that the effort by palliative care people in India had led to marked improvement in palliative care facilities in the country.
According to the report, India has moved up to the Group 3b for having generalised palliative care provision. Earlier, the country was grouped under Group 2 for making capacity building activities.
However the study also revealed that out of the world's 234 countries, only 136 had one or more hospice or palliative care services available to seriously ill people and their families and carers. It meant that nearly 42 per cent did not have access to palliative care.
Down load the report ' Mapping levels of Palliative Care development: A global update 2011'
Programmes in India
With a range of programmes from painting competition for students to training programmes for professionals and with the participation of people from all walks of life including patients, volunteers, doctors , nurses , politicians- the world hospice and palliative care day was celebrated all over India with voices for hospice programme.
New Delhi
Cansupport – New Delhi celebrated the day with a concert held as part of the global Voices for Hospices concert in the evening of 8th October at the Auditorium of Baha'I house of worship. Susmit Sen, lead guitarist of the famous band Indian Ocean and Azaan Khan, grandson of the legendary sitar maestro Vilayat Ali Khan performed.
Get together organised by DNip Care at New Delhi
The get together organised by DNip Care, New Delhi held at M P's Club, South avenue began with the programme 'lighting candles' in memory of the departed souls from the palliative care family of DNip Care. Mr. T. K. N. Nair, advisor to Prime Minister was the chief guest. An open forum for doctors, nurses, volunteers, patients and family members was also held. Cultural programmes entertained the participants.
Cuttack
A workshop for nurses, CME for medical professionals and a public meeting were the programmes organised by AHRCC , Cuttack jointly with Cancer Care Every Where . A musical programme was also held as part of the global Voices for Hospice concert.
Mumbai
Tata Memorial Hospital , Mumbai together with 'Indian Association of Palliative Care - Childrens Palliative Care Project' lead a walk from Shivaji Park to Tata Memorial Hospital on 8th October with the support of NGOs ,students , volunteers and Rotary Clubs of Mumbai.
Pune
On the occasion of World Palliative Care Day, Cipla Palliative Care and Training Centre , Pune has launched a helpline (020-65292912) dedicated to offer counselling and support to cancer patients and families seeking relief from pain and symptoms. It was inaugurated by cine personality Kimi Katkar Sheorey at Shaniwar Wada after a Walk for Awareness from Balgandharva Rang Mandir that marked the culmination of a week-long campaign.
Helpline launching function held at Cipla Centre
During the week- long campaign awareness classes were organised by the centre for the employees of Oracle at Bhugaon, and for jawans of State Reserve Police Force at Daund, near Pune. 150 Jawans participated. The team also addressed 100 doctors and nurses at YMCA hospital Pimpri. Famous Marathi singer Anuradha Marathe and poet Aruna Dhere presented a programme at Cipla Centre for patients and family. A medical symposium was also held at Cipla Centre.
Ahmedabad
Dr. Shilin Shukla , Director of Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Ahmedabad flagged off the rally organised by the Institute on World Palliative Care Day. Staff, volunteers and patients participated. Pamphlets were distributed to the nearby hospitals including Institute of Kidney
Rally at Ahmedabad
diseases, AIDS/HIV Centre, Civil Hospital, U N Mehta Cardiac Institute, B J Medical College and Paraplegia Centre.
Lucknow
Astha Centre for Geriatric Medicine, Palliative Care Hospital, Hospice and Social Welfare Society, Lucknow conducted a photo exhibition on Terminal Care. A class on Palliative Care was also conducted for medical professionals.
Hyderabad
The calendar released at MNJIO & RCC
Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society , Hyderabad celebrated the day at Jubilee Hall, Public Gardens, Nampally. The Calendar for the year 2012 with drawings of cancer surviving children at MNJ IO & RCC, Hyderabad and students of Gitanjali Devashray was released by the chief guest Dr. A. Chakrapani, Honorable Chairman, AP Legislative Council.
Volunteers training manual was also released. The dance performance by children under treatment at MNJIO and RCC was an unforgettable event. Guests, doctors, volunteers and children expressed their solidarity by playing the drum during the function.
The programme began with the performance of famous Kuchippudi Dancers Mr. N. K Chawla and Tejaswini .
Bangalore
Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore celebrated the day in the Institute. Volunteers distributed sweets. Patient information booklet was released in the same day.
Mangalore
Inaugural function of the conference on 'Towards better care for the chronically ill"
The Nursing Service Department of Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Kakkanadi , Mangalore lead a one day conference on "Towards better care for the chronically ill" . A painting competition was also held.
Chennai
A number of events were held across the city on 8th October to mark the World Palliative Care Day.
Releasing balloons at a function organised to mark World Palliative Care Day in Chennai .
Lakshmi Pain and Palliative Care Clinic, Chennai along with the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology , Government General Hospital conducted an awareness program. Doctors and nurses from Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, members of the Lakshmi Pain and Palliative Care Clinic, NGOs, volunteers and public assembled at the Madras Medical College ground at 8 AM . At the gathering, a pledge was taken to do everything possible to ease the suffering of cancer patients and make them feel comfortable.
Dean Foundation, Chennai, organised an awareness camps at the Elliots beach and at the Ampa Skywalk mall.
RMD pain and Palliative care Trust , Chennai organized rally at the busy shopping areas in Chennai's Panagal Park and Pandy bazaar. Corporates like ONGC, Repco Bank, artists and celebrities from the Small Screen, doctors, oncologists, Rotary club , Lions Club and Inner wheel club , NGO's , volunteers , students and supporters participated
Trivandrum
A continuing education programme held at Regional Cancer Centre , Trivandrum on 'Soft Skills in Patient Care.'Dr. (Prof) George Onakoor , famous Malayalam literary figure delivered the keynote address. Sweets were distributed by volunteers.
Volunteers distributing sweets
'Swanthanasangamam 2011' was organised by Pallium India , Trivandrum together with District Panchayath , National Rural Health Mission and Kudumbasree for patients in and around Thiruvananthapuram at Youth Centre, Salvation Army , Kowdiar.
Participants of swanthanasangamam
Kochi
Sri. Hibi Eden MLA inaugurated the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day celebrations at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Kochi.
Film actress Ms. Meera Nandan and Sri. Hibi Eden in the inaugural function of the celebration held at AIMS, Kochi
The event also marked the 10th anniversary of the palliative home care service by the Institute. Malayalam Film Actor Ms. Meera Nandan inaugurated the new palliative care unit for patients suffering from diseases other than cancer.
Kozhikode
The celebration in Kozhikode was marked by the presence of student volunteers. More than 50 student volunteers of the Students in Palliative Care Project participated in the rally and and in the public meeting organised by Kozhikode Initiative in Palliative Care ( District organisation of palliative care units in Kozhikode District) in the city.
Sri. M. K. Muneer, Minister, Social Welfare, Governement of Kerala speaking in the function
The awareness rally which started from the Palliative Care Clinic, Kozhikode City ended at police club . Sri. M. K. Muneer, Minister , Scial Welfare Department, Government of Kerala was the chief guest.
Kannur
Participation of enthusiastic students encouraged palliative care volunteers and staff who have organised the celebrations at Malabar Cancer Centre , Thalasseri, Kannur. Mrs. Indira . T , District and Sessions Judge inaugurated the programme.
Programme organised at Malabar Cancer Centre
Around 60 students from differenct schools in the city participated. Students also got a chance to interact with patients and with those who have recovered. Quiz competition was also held for students.
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