Awards and Recognitions
Dr Avinash Kumar Tiwari Conferred with the ASCO IDEA PC Award
Dr Avinash Kumar Tiwari (Director, Department of Pain, Palliative Care and Supportive Oncology, Sanjeevani Cancer Care Hospital, Raipur, Chhattisgarh) has been selected for the prestigious International Development and Education Award in Palliative Care (IDEA PC) Award by the American Society of Clinical Oncology for 2026.
Dr Tiwari has been selected for his outstanding contributions to cancer care with special emphasis on supportive oncology, pain management, palliative care and clinical research. The award will be presented to Dr Tiwari, at a ceremony, scheduled to be held in May 2026, Chicago, USA.
Dr Tiwari has been at the forefront of developing palliative care and pain management services in Chhattisgarh. Through his initiative, a 10-bedded hospice and respite care service has also been established and is now functioning in Raipur.
Dr Tiwari is a native of Kauwatal village in Sarangarh district, Chhattisgarh. He later pursued his MBBS at Sevagram Medical College, Sevagram, Wardha, Maharashtra, and his MD in Palliative Medicine at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
On behalf of the institute, Dr Yussuf Meman, Director of Sanjeevani Cancer Care Hospital, recognised and congratulated Dr Avinash Tiwari on his achievement by presenting him with a bouquet.
Speaking about the honour, Dr Tiwari said that the award is not just a personal achievement but a source of inspiration for students from rural backgrounds and low-income families in Chhattisgarh. He expressed hope that this recognition would motivate young aspirants to pursue excellence in medical education and healthcare service, regardless of their socio-economic circumstances. He dedicates this award to his patients who are a constant source of inspiration.
The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr Avinash Kumar Tiwari on this well-deserved international recognition. We wish him continued success in his inspiring journey of advancing palliative care, pain management, and compassionate cancer care.
Karunashraya, Bengaluru launches Advance Medical Directive Clinic
Bangalore Hospice Trust – Karunashraya has launched an Advance Medical Directive (AMD) Clinic under the Karunashraya–MAHE Centre of Excellence for Advance Care Planning.
The Advance Medical Directive Clinic, operational at Karunashraya, Bengaluru, from 17th January 2026, promotes person-centred medical decision-making by sensitising individuals to advance care planning, advance medical directives, and the process of preparing their own AMD. The clinic currently offers individual and small-group sessions every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
For enquiries or to book an appointment, please write to: advancedirective@karunashraya.org
The IAPC warmly congratulates Bangalore Hospice Trust – Karunashraya on the launch of the Advance Medical Directive Clinic.
Moments That matter: BHT-Karunashraya, Bengaluru to Launch Caregiver Animation Series
Most patients wish to be cared for at home, and most families want to help — but often don’t know how. Addressing this need, Bangalore Hospice Trust – Karunashraya has created “Moments That Matter”, a caregiver animation series designed to guide and empower families in providing compassionate care at home.
This innovative initiative will be launched at the 33rd International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2026) on 14th February at 12:30 p.m. marking a significant step forward in supporting home-based palliative care. The IAPCON 2026 will be held at the National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NIMSME), Yousufguda, Hyderabad.
The IAPC congratulates Bangalore Hospice Trust – Karunashraya on this initiative and commends their commitment to improving the lives of patients and caregivers alike.
‘PalaSh’ – the PALliative Care APP: An Innovative Initiative by the Palliative Care Team at AIIMS Bathinda, with Support from Cipla Foundation
PalaSh (PALliative Care App for a Systematic and Holistic approach to cancer care) represents a thoughtful convergence of technology and compassion, aimed at strengthening the delivery of cancer palliative care in India. Conceived and developed by the palliative care team led by Dr Mayank Gupta at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bathinda, with support from the Cipla Foundation, PalaSh has been designed to support healthcare teams in providing timely, coordinated, and patient-centred care across clinical and community settings.
At its core, PalaSh seeks to address one of the most persistent challenges in palliative care — the need for systematic assessment and continuity of care without losing the human touch. The app enables multidisciplinary teams to conduct structured assessments, deliver timely interventions, and seamlessly coordinate care across hospitals, clinics, and home settings.
The app was successfully tested over the past five months by Dr Mayank Gupta and his team. Since May 2025, more than 1,200 patients and over 4,000 patient visits have been registered on the platform, reflecting its growing utility and acceptance in real-world clinical practice.
PalaSh will be made available for use by other organisations in a phased manner. The app is currently available on both Android and iOS platforms.
Organisations interested in using the app may contact Dr Mayank Gupta at drm_gupta@yahoo.co.in for further details.
To know more about PalaSh, please click here to access the detailed article authored by Dr Mayank Gupta.
IAPC congratulates Dr Mayank Gupta and the entire team at AIIMS Bathinda, along with the Cipla Foundation, on this commendable and forward-looking initiative, and wishes them continued success in their efforts to enhance access to high-quality palliative care across the country.