Awards and Recognitions

Ms. Anu Receives Dame Cicely Saunders Award from the Cardiff Program!

We are delighted and proud to share that Ms. Anu Savio Thelly, (Nurse Consultant, MGMCRI), has been awarded the prestigious Dame Cicely Saunders Award by Cardiff University for securing the highest marks in Year 2 of the MSc in Palliative Medicine.

This recognition is a testament to her exceptional academic performance, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the field of palliative care.Ms. Anu, who also serves as a Trustee of Soul Palliative Care, is deeply engaged in advancing palliative care nursing through research, mentorship, and education—both in India and internationally.

In response to receiving the award, she shared:

“Receiving this award from Cardiff University is both unexpected and deeply meaningful—a dream ten years in the making, filled with rejections and resilience. I am profoundly grateful to Dr. M.R. Rajagopal, who has been my guiding light through the toughest times, and to Dr. Gayatri Palat, whose encouragement after every rejection reminded me never to give up. I also extend my sincere thanks to Dr. K. S. Reddy for his unwavering clinical and academic support. A special thank you to Marie Cooper and the GPNN community for believing in me and nurturing my personal and professional growth. This award belongs to everyone who trusted me when I couldn’t trust myself—thank you from the depths of my heart.”

We wholeheartedly congratulate Ms. Anu on this remarkable achievement and wish her continued success as she inspires and empowers the next generation of palliative care nurses.

Project Sugamya: Enabling Dignified Rail Travel for Persons with Disabilities and Older Adults

Pallium India, in collaboration with Swarga Foundation, Care and Share, and Southern Railways – Trivandrum Division, launched Project Sugamya on 14th July 2025 at Trivandrum Railway Station. This landmark initiative is designed to transform railway travel for persons with disabilities and older adults, ensuring that accessibility and dignity become the norm rather than the exception.

The project was launched with 16 lightweight mobile ramps and 16 customized wheelchairs, which will be deployed across 11 railway stations between Kanyakumari and Thrissu. These resources will significantly reduce travel barriers, providing safer, more inclusive, and dignified transportation for those who need it most. “The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of travellers with mobility challenges by providing ease of access and a dignified travel experience across Kerala” said Mr Manoj Gopalakrishnan (Executive Director, TIPS).

Project Sugamya is not just about mobility aids—it is a movement towards social inclusion, advocating that accessibility is a fundamental right. By breaking physical and societal barriers, this initiative marks a bold step towards building a truly inclusive Kerala.

IAPC deeply appreciates this remarkable effort and congratulates all collaborators for championing the cause of dignity, inclusion, and equal access for all.

Mumbai’s Hinduja Hospital Launches India’s First Living Will Clinic in India

P. D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre in Mahim has launched a dedicated clinic to help individuals legally prepare living wills—advance medical directives recognised by the Supreme Court in 2018. The clinic is run by Dr. Smriti Khanna (Palliative care specialist, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai) and Dr. Roop Gursahani (Neurologist, Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai), who guide patients through medical options like ventilator use, CPR, and dialysis. The clinic operates every Saturday by appointment from 10 am to 12 pm offering counselling and assistance in drafting living wills.

This initiative empowers individuals by giving them control over future medical decisions, reducing anxiety for families during critical situations. Dr. Roop identifies young and healthy individuals concerned about the risk of vegetative states, older adults in their 60s and 70s who have recently faced serious health challenges, and those with chronic illnesses requiring palliative care as the population group interested in accessing these services.

According to Dr. Khanna, “the availability of living wills has helped normalize conversations around end-of-life care. Many people are unaware of what intensive care entails, but when procedures like ventilator support or the insertion of a central line are explained, they gain a clearer understanding of ICU care. This knowledge empowers them to make informed decisions about their advanced directives, providing a valuable context for planning their future healthcare choices.” This initiative brings clarity, dignity, and legal backing to end-of-life choices, a significant step toward patient autonomy in India.

The IAPC extends its best wishes to the team at Hinduja Hospital as they pioneer living will initiatives in India, setting an inspiring model for others to replicate.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Launches Institutional EOLC Policy

IAPC delighted to announce that Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, has formally launched its Institutional End of Life Care (EOLC) Policy on 13th April 2025, marking a significant milestone in compassionate healthcare. The launch was part of the hospital’s Founder’s Day celebrations.

“End-of-life care (EOLC) is one of the most sensitive aspects of healthcare. To develop this policy, we formed a task force with 24 members from different specialties. Our policy document includes recent Supreme Court guidelines 2023 on withholding and withdrawal of life support, as well as rulings on Advance Medical Directive. It addresses sensitive topics such as medical futility at birth or during the neonatal period and offers recommendations for caring for mentally ill patients receiving EOLC. It also outlines structured procedures for assessing medical futility and communicating with families. We believe that by following these guidelines, we can create an environment where patients and their caregivers feel supported, healthcare teams are confident, and where the values of empathy and dignity continue to inspire us.” said Dr. Bimla Sharma (Chairperson, Department of Palliative Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Delhi)

By adopting this policy, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital sets an inspiring example for healthcare institutions across India to embrace ethical, patient-centered end-of-life care.

IAPC appreciates this commendable initiative and applauds the hospital’s commitment to dignity and compassion in care.