WHPCD celebrations: 2025

Mahaveer Ashray, a unit of Cancer Institute WIA, Chennai, observed World Hospice & Palliative Care Day 2025 with a combined event on November 15, 2025, featuring a Volunteer Awareness Program, “Being There – The Role of Volunteers in Hospice,” and the inauguration of “The Wings of Expression,” India’s first hospice art gallery showcasing patient artwork.

Thirty volunteers from varied professional backgrounds attended the half-day orientation on palliative care principles, communication, compassionate presence, and understanding patient and family needs. Interactive discussions and role-plays strengthened their awareness of supportive communication in hospice settings. The faculty team included Dr. R. Thendral, Dr. Daniel Raj Joseph Thangasamy, Mr. Madhavan, Dr. Rathipriya, Ms. E. Thilagavathi, and Mr. Ranjith.

The art gallery was inaugurated by Mr. Stanton, Businessman and Social Activist, with Kuthuvilakku lighting by Dr. Sathyothan, Dr. Thendral, Mr. Madhavan, and Mr. Prem. The gallery offers a dedicated space for patient artwork, highlighting art as a medium for emotional expression, dignity, and healing.

The event reinforced Mahaveer Ashray’s commitment to volunteerism, community engagement, and whole-person care under the leadership of Dr. Kalpana Balakrishnan, Dr. Meenakshi V V, and Dr. Thendral, strengthening efforts aligned with IAPC’s vision of accessible and compassionate palliative care.

AIIMS New Delhi commemorated World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025 under the theme “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care.” The Department of Onco-Anesthesia and Palliative Medicine at IRCH and NCI Jhajjar highlighted the urgent global and national need for equitable, compassionate end-of-life care. Each year, over 56 million people require palliative care worldwide, yet only 14 percent receive it. In India, with 1.46 million new cancer cases and 850,000 deaths annually, fewer than 4 percent in need access such services. Despite initiatives like the National Programme for Palliative Care (2012) and NDPS Act reforms (2014), services remain concentrated in tertiary centers.

The AIIMS event combined academic depth with emotional resonance. It featured keynote addresses by Prof. Seema Mishra, Prof. Sachidanand Jee Bharati, and Prof. Nishkarsh Gupta, alongside inspiring talks such as “Power of One Thought” by Prof. Mohit Gupta and “Holding Space” by Prof. Urvashi Goja. A skit portrayed real-world patient and family struggles, while students expressed compassion through poems and slogans. The department also launched its first bulletin, reflecting growth in teaching and research. Prof. Seema Mishra summarized the spirit: “Palliative care is not about giving up—it is about giving comfort, respect, and meaning to every remaining moment.”

Dr Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC) delivered the Keynote Address at the National Palliative Care Convention, organized by the Goa Chapter of the National Association of Palliative Care for AYUSH and Integrative Medicine, as part of the World Hospice and Palliative Care Day celebrations- 2025. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Dr. Pramod Sawant, Honourable Chief Minister of Goa, as the Chief Guest.The program was organised on 11th October 2025 at the Sai Nursing Institute, Goa.

A workshop on Advance Directives was conducted at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai for Care Givers in commemoration of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. The workshop was organized jointly by Tata Memorial Hospital and Respite Mumbai, between 9th and 11th October, 2025.

The Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine at Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute marked World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025 with a focused program built around the global theme “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care.” The event brought together key institutional leaders and experts such as Dr. Gayatri Palat, Dr. T. Subramanyeshwar Rao, Dr. Kalpana Raghunath, Dr. Phanikoteshwar Rao, and Dr. Basanth Kumar.

Dr. Palat delivered the keynote address, outlining the need for community-based care models, interdisciplinary collaboration, and capacity building to improve access to palliative care across Telangana. She acknowledged the department’s ongoing efforts and emphasized the importance of sustained, system-level improvements. The program also featured a panel discussion on “Transition from Oncology to Palliative Care” moderated by Dr. Praveen Kumar and Dr. Pallavi Ghosh. Panelists included Dr. Rakesh Pinninti, Dr. Rajagopalan, Dr. Dileep, Dr. Arumugam, and Dr. Pavan Kumar. The discussion addressed early referral challenges, communication gaps, and the need for institutional and policy-level integration. A role-play session demonstrated practical approaches to sensitive communication highlighting demands faced by healthcare professionals in emotionally complex situations. The event concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Praveen Kumar.

On 11th October 2025, the Department of Palliative Medicine, Christian Medical College Vellore, observed the 20th World Hospice and Palliative Care Day on the global theme “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care.”

A series of academic and awareness-building activities were organized as part of the observance. These included cartooning and video-making competitions that highlighted creative perspectives on the theme, and a debate competition on “Is Universal Access to Palliative Care in India achievable within the next decade?” where contestants demonstrated commendable depth of knowledge and analytical reasoning.

To enhance public engagement, a walkathon was conducted to raise awareness on the importance of universal palliative care access, and tree-planting drives were undertaken in local schools to promote advocacy and sustainability initiatives aligned with the day’s theme.

A special programme was held at the Ida B. Scudder Hospice, featuring musical performances by patients and reflective testimonies from bereaved family members, who shared their experiences of the compassionate care and support extended by the Palliative Care Unit.
The events collectively reflected the department’s ongoing commitment to education, advocacy, and service in advancing the vision of equitable and universal access to palliative care.

On 11th October 2025, a CME on “Compassionate Care along the Continuum – From Early to End-of-Life Care in patients with Brain Tumours”, was conducted at Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Visakhapatnam to commemorate World Hospice and Palliative Care Day. An advocacy video celebrating the spirit of self-care and togetherness in palliative care created by the department of Palliative Medicine, was also released by the Director on this occasion.

The CME programme began with an inaugural address by the Director, emphasizing the importance of early integration of palliative care. This was followed by a case scenario-based exploration of the journey of the patient with principles of assessment, communication conundrums through role plays, disease directed therapies in brain tumours and symptom management included. The panel featured experts from radiation, surgical, paediatric and medical oncology, fostering cross-specialty dialogue.

Following through the case scenario, psychosocial aspects were addressed through contributions from the psychiatrist and psychologist. The physiotherapist and occupational therapist presented non-pharmacological strategies to enhance quality of life and functional well-being. End of life care and ethical dilemmas in management were the concluding sessions. As a gesture of sustainability and hope, saplings were planted on the hospital premises, symbolizing life and environmental consciousness.

The Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, JLN Medical College and Hospital, Ajmer, observed World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) 2025 on October 11, aligning with the global theme “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care.”

The event began with a lamp-lighting ceremony by Dr. Anil Samaria (Principal) and Dr. Aravind Khare (Medical Superintendent), symbolizing light and hope in compassionate care. Faculty, residents, nursing officers, and students participated actively.

Dr. Deepak Kumar Garg, Head of Department, highlighted ongoing initiatives—specialist OPD and IPD services, home-based care, and interdisciplinary teaching—while stressing the need to bridge the gap between global palliative care needs and availability. Dr. Vikas Gupta, Assistant Professor, outlined the department’s advanced pain management services, including ultrasound-guided nerve blocks, C-arm procedures, PRP, and prolotherapy.

A caregiver’s moving testimonial underscored the human impact of timely palliative support. The team released awareness materials and conducted an interactive session for students and staff on early referral and communication in palliative care.

Additionally, an awareness program was held at the Gynecology Department (Zanana Hospital), focusing on palliative care in gynecological cancers and chronic pelvic pain management.
The program concluded with a collective pledge to strengthen hospital and community-based palliative care services.

The Department of Palliative Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, celebrated World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) 2025 on 11th October at Auditorium Hall A. The theme, “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care,” brought together healthcare professionals, educators, legal experts, and policy advocates to promote compassionate and inclusive care.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. D.S. Rana, Chairman, SGRH, and graced by Dr. R. K. Mani as Guest of Honour, whose address on compassionate and ethical healthcare deeply inspired the audience. Dr. V. K. Malik, Dean, GRIPMER, emphasized the need to integrate palliative care into mainstream health services. The program featured a keynote by Ms. Vandana Mahajan on Caregiver Burden, a panel discussion on Advance Medical Directives moderated by Dr. Kinshuki Jain, and sessions on Kidney Supportive Care, Legal Aspects of End-of-Life Care, and Medical Cannabis in Palliative Medicine.

A cultural performance by students from Maulana Azad Medical College and a soulful musical recital by Shri Aurobindo College added warmth and reflection. The event also honored winners of the Annual National Competition sensitizing youth to empathy and elder care. The celebration reaffirmed the commitment of the SGRH Palliative Medicine Department to advancing compassionate, equitable, and patient centred care across India.

As the theme of world hospice and palliative care day 2025 “ACHIEVING THE PROMISE: UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO PALLIATIVE CARE” suggests, we stepped further towards making palliative care accessible to a larger population. GCRI conducted training for doctors and nurses from Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation hospitals in batches started from 18 August 2025. A total of 138 doctors and 35 nurses participated till date. More 130 nurses will be trained under this Programme by 10 October 2025.

Under the project NPPC, we regularly conduct the training program for the medical officers and nurses from primary and secondary health centers all across the state.

As the part of WHPCD celebration, Informative presentation were done by Palliative Medicine residents along with role play in the presence of Dr. Shashank Pandya, Director and Dr. Priti Sanghavi, Professor& Head of Department of Palliative Medicine, Deputy Director, GCRI, Ahmedabad. Presentations contained details of what Palliative care means, for whom it is and where it can be provided. Director Sir appreciated our proudly journey of Uprising of Palliative Medicine in the last decade.

The Department of Palliative Medicine, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Muzaffarpur, celebrated World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025 on 11th October with the theme “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care.” Supported by Dr. Ravikant, Dr. Nishant, and Dr. Abha Rani Sinha, the event emphasized that palliative care is a human right and essential for all facing life-limiting illness.

Our program featured awareness talks and interactive educational sessions for over 250 nursing students and staff, led by Drs. Isha, Ritesh, Shadab, Atikul, and Avantika. The sessions highlighted the nurse’s role as patient advocate and primary caregiver, focusing on communication, symptom relief, and holistic care to ensure that no one suffers needlessly.

Awareness banners and visual displays reinforced the day’s message, while photographs captured the enthusiasm and unity of participants. The event enhanced nursing capacity, strengthened awareness of compassionate care, and reaffirmed HBCHRC’s commitment to equitable, patient-centered palliative care. It concluded with a shared pledge to continue promoting the vision that “Everyone deserves care, comfort, and dignity—because palliative care is for all.”

A skit by team Amrit Dhara Palliative care on WHPCD 2025 representing how PC brings hope for someone suffering with advanced illness and solace to the family . It’s like a magic touch of an angel in form of multidisciplinary team giving symptoms control , moral , spiritual and psychosocial support .

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day was observed on 11th October,2025, Saturday at 11. AM at AIDA, Don Bosco, Dimapur with a theme, “Achieving the promise: Universal Access to Palliative care”. Four Organizations with Palliative care services in and around Dimapur and Chumukedima District of Nagaland like Serene Palliative Care; Eden Medical Centre; St. Joseph’s Pain and Palliative Care Home; Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research organized this Programme.

Palliative Care team and other health care providers including doctor, nurses and nurse educators, allied health staffs; community leaders; women leaders; church workers and media personnel were present in this gathering. The meeting was graced by Mr. Geoffrey Yaden, Editor -in-Chief, Nagaland Post as a Guest of Honour. Dr. Kezo, Joint Director & State Programme Officer (SPO), National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC), Kohima highlighted different initiatives of the state government in the field of palliative care while Mr. Rontu Sangma, Northeast Coordinator of Pallium India introduced Pallium to the gathering.

Three Palliative consultants, Dr. Tony Vikas Biswas, Dr. Nepuni Athikho and Dr. Obangjungla addressed the gathering with different Palliative Care concepts. The presence of God and everyone else was appreciated by the event leader, Mrs. Glory Merry, Chaplain of Eden Medical Centre and Rev. Fr. Chacko Karinthayil of St Joseph’s Pain and Palliative Care Home who closed the event with a prayer.

On the occasion of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025, an engaging session was organized at AIIMS–CAPFIMS, New Delhi. Since this is a new institute, it is its first celebration of WHPD. Recognizing the need to build a strong foundation for palliative care, two dedicated sessions were conducted: one for nursing officers and another for faculty members.

These sessions aimed to create a safe and reflective space, inspired by the principles of the Death Café movement, encouraging open conversations around death, dying, dignity, and compassionate care. Participants were introduced to the core philosophy of palliative care – improving quality of life, comfort, and dignity for patients and families.

The discussions sparked introspection and peer learning, allowing participants to recognize the importance of non-judgmental attitudes toward individual choices. Many shared that the session not only enhanced their professional understanding but also helped them reflect on their personal lives, preparing them to support their own families, friends, and communities.

This initiative marks an important step in building awareness, sensitivity, and advocacy for equitable access to palliative care in a new institutional setting. The enthusiastic participation reaffirmed the need to continue such conversations to create a more compassionate healthcare environment.

As part of this year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD 2025) celebrations, the Palliative Care Unit, Department of Medical Oncology at Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre (MMHRC), Madurai, launched the CRISPP Care Tool — an in-house developed framework designed to strengthen palliative care integration across clinical, psychosocial, and spiritual domains.

There remain a significant gap and inconsistency in the timely referral and integration of palliative care across Madurai district This largely stems from limited awareness and uncertainty of referrals. Developing and implementing a localized, culturally adapted, and structured tool like CRISPP can help create a clear pathway for orientation and care navigation, positioning Madurai as a reference model for palliative care integration within the region.

The tool was shared on October 11, 2025, as a PDF resource for awareness and team familiarization among hospital consultants and allied health professionals. It aims to promote referral of patients who may benefit from palliative care, support timely referral triggers, and enhance interdisciplinary collaboration within hospital practice. The launch not only commemorated WHPCD but also reflected MMHRC’s ongoing commitment to improving the quality, accessibility, and holistic nature of palliative care.

This initiative stands as a small yet meaningful step toward realizing this year’s WHPCD theme — “Universal Access to Palliative Care.”

Report on World Palliative Care Day Celebration
Date: 11th October 2025
Venue: Christian Hospital, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh
Reported by: Mrs. Paulin Priyadharsini, Nursing Officer

Theme: “ACHIEVING THE PROMISE: UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO PALLIATIVE CARE”

Christian Hospital, Chhatarpur, observed World Palliative Care Day on 11th October 2025 with great enthusiasm and compassion. The celebration aimed to create awareness about palliative care, to honour our patients, and to strengthen the bond between caregivers, patients, and their families.

The event began with a short prayer followed by a welcome address from the Nursing Officer, Mrs. Paulin Priyadharsini, who emphasized the importance of holistic care and emotional support for patients facing chronic and life-limiting illnesses. She highlighted how palliative care helps patients live with dignity and comfort, even in the midst of illness.

As part of the celebration, our team organized a role-play awareness skit depicting the journey of a palliative care patient and the compassionate support extended by the healthcare team. This was followed by a special song presented by the Palliative Care Team along with Community Health Department staff, conveying a message of hope and courage. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and empathy as patients, staff, and family members participated actively.

Several patients were invited to share their personal experiences during their treatment journey. Their heartfelt testimonies reflected.

The Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru, organised Walkathon 2025 on World Hospice and Palliative Care Day under the theme “Achieving the Promise – Universal Access to Palliative Care.” Over a thousand participants, including doctors, students, volunteers, and the public, walked from Kidwai to Lalbagh Main Gate to spread awareness about compassionate, holistic care.

Dr. Yadhuraj M. K., Head of the Department, presided over the event and guided it with his vision and commitment to advancing palliative care. His leadership inspired the team to bring the spirit of hospice and compassion into public focus.

The event’s seamless organisation was made possible through the dedicated efforts of Dr. Mala S. N. and Dr. Nikhila Karanth, Assistant Professors, and special thanks to Dr. Hemanth S, fellowship Trainee ,whose meticulous planning, coordination, and heartfelt vote of thanks reflected the department’s teamwork and commitment.

Kidwai continues to lead in pain management, being among the few institutes in India using oral morphine solution, dispensing nearly 8 kg of morphine sulphate annually, reflecting its dedication to humane, effective pain relief.

This initiative aims to inspire greater public awareness and strengthen efforts for accessible, compassionate palliative care across Karnataka and India.

The Department of Palliative Medicine, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, celebrated World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025 with a two-day series of vibrant and heartfelt events on 9th and 10th October.

Day 1:
The celebrations began with an Art Competition — “Adding Colours to Life”, where students and faculty members expressed their creativity through art, music, karaoke, and poetry. The joyful participation beautifully reflected the spirit of compassion, connection, and healing that palliative care stands for.

Day 2:
The second day featured an inspiring Guest Lecture by Dr. Ritesh Tipkare, Senior Oncologist, on “The Role of Palliative Care.”
His talk emphasized the importance of integrating palliative care across medical disciplines to ensure holistic and patient-centered care.

The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony and a display of the wonderful artworks created during the competition — a fitting tribute to the theme of “Compassionate Communities: Together for Palliative Care.”

The Department of Palliative Medicine, SAIMS, remains deeply committed to the vision of Universal Access to Palliative Care — ensuring dignity, comfort, and care for all.

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025 at St. John’s Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru, was celebrated on October 4 with a meaningful program emphasizing compassion, connection, and care. The event was inaugurated by Director Rev. Fr. Jesudoss Rajamanikam, alongside distinguished guests including Rev. Fr. Ajith Kerketta, Mr. Rakesh Nair, Fr. Wilson ADH, Dr. Prakash, and Dr. Nandini Vallath. The dignitaries poured water on plants, symbolizing palliative care as nurturing life with dignity and compassion.

The program featured the screening of creative reels from the FAME competition themed “The Therapeutic and Healing Bond between Healthcare Professionals and Patients,” followed by a mesmerizing dance depicting kindness and a heartfelt recital of “I Care and I Want to Care” by Dr. Nandini Vallath and Dr. Annie Bea.

The highlight was the playback theatre “Treat with Care” by First Drop Theatre, presenting three short plays based on real-life cases, exploring empathy and communication in caregiving. An interactive Playback Theatre session followed, engaging the audience in sharing personal experiences, reflecting on living fully and caring deeply despite illness.

Dr. Vallath described her palliative journey as “Human to Other Human,” emphasizing that palliative care is a movement of compassion, dignity, and connection. The event celebrated the heart of healthcare: treating with care and caring with heart.

To mark WHPCD and Baby Loss Awareness Week, TwoWorldsCancer & ICPCN hosted a landmark webinar bringing together experts from obstetrics, foetal medicine, neonatology, paediatric palliative care, and Indian law. With over 250 registrations, the event highlighted the urgent need for interdisciplinary dialogue and awareness around perinatal palliative care.

Panelists discussed challenges in offering compassionate, family-centred care, including difficult decisions on intensive care vs. comfort care, birth planning after complex diagnoses, and consent frameworks. The discussion emphasised that families must be truly supported and empowered, not just informed, and that care should extend beyond hospitals to home and community settings.

A key takeaway was the need for clear national policies and legal guidance, as well as equitable access to palliative care across India, recognising this as both a medical and human rights issue. Experts also highlighted the importance of training healthcare professionals, raising public awareness, and fostering collaboration across disciplines to create meaningful change.

This webinar proved that change begins with conversation, and the next steps include courses, policy advocacy, and on-ground frameworks to ensure that perinatal palliative care is accessible, compassionate, and integrated into clinical practice for every family, everywhere. Together, we can build a system where no family faces loss alone and every baby’s dignity is honored.

Executive Director of AIIMS Deoghar’s address on Advance Care Directive.

Overview of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Bereavement meet.

Poster competition on “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care”.

Overview of Quality Improvement Projects.

The Department of Palliative Medicine, BBCI will celebrate “World Hospice & Palliative Care Day 2025” with a Public Awareness Program on Palliative care in a village that is approximately 65 kms away from the Institute. “Jhargaon Yuvak Sangha”, a youth club from the locality has kindly consented to host the program. The main objective of this program is to appraise the villagers about Palliative care and their role as a volunteer to care for the patients.

Mrs. Indrani Das, a philanthropist, will also be felicitated on that day for her relentless social activities towards cancer patients.

N.B.- The date of celebration is fixed on 25 October instead of 11 October as a mark of respect of public mourning on the demise of popular Artist “Zubeen Garg”.