World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD), an annual unified day of action to celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world, was marked with great enthusiasm at AIIMS, New Delhi. This year’s theme, “Compassionate Communities – Together for Palliative Care,” brought to the forefront the vital role of compassion in healthcare.

The celebration was organized by the Department of Onco-Anesthesia and Palliative Medicine in collaboration with Delhi State Chapter of IAPC. The day’s highlight was a guest lecture delivered by Prof. Dr. Mohit Gupta on “The Role of Compassion in Healthcare”. He stressed that treating patients with empathy accelerates recovery and provides emotional solace to those facing health challenges.

In a move to spread awareness, the hospital organized public awareness lectures in the OPD. Adding an element of physical activity to the day, a spirited walkathon was organized, which symbolized the commitment to palliative care within the community. Prof. Sushma Bhatnagar, the chief of Dr. B.R.A IRCH expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of this memorable day.

“Compassionate communities play a pivotal role in delivering palliative care, and it’s heartening to see such dedication from both healthcare professionals and the community itself,” she said. Prof. Dr. Seema Mishra, President of Delhi State Chapter of IAPC, reaffirmed the profound impact of compassionate care on a patient’s journey towards healing.