From the President’s Desk
Dear Friends,
Greetings!
As we continue to strengthen palliative care education, professional development, advocacy, and organisational growth, I am delighted to share some of the important milestones achieved during the past month.
I am pleased to announce the commencement of the 3rd Cohort of the IAPC Certificate Course in Basics of Palliative Care. I extend my best wishes to all participants embarking on this six-month learning journey, conducted by the IAPC Academy of Palliative Medicine, which commenced on 4th July, 2026. 18 candidates from various speciality have joined this course. Our flagship Foundation Course in Essentials of Palliative Care (FCEPC) also continues to attract enthusiastic participation from across India. A total of 222 doctors and nurses are attending the programme, which commenced on 15th July, 2026. It is equally gratifying to share that the Textbook on Essentials of Palliative Care is now available through Notion Press on online stores, making this valuable learning resource more widely accessible to healthcare professionals and institutions. I also would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the four newly accredited centres that will conduct the IAPC’s Fellowship in Home and Hospice Palliative Care (FHHPC) from August 2026.
The Mid-Term Meeting of the IAPC Executive Committee was held on 18th – 19th July 2026 in Bhubaneswar. The Executive Committee visited the IAPCON 2027 venue at SOA University, Bhubaneswar and held detailed discussions with the conference organising committee regarding the arrangements for the upcoming conference and the scientific programme. We also deliberated extensively on IAPC’s organisational activities, including the future direction of the IAPC–APM educational programmes, proposed amendments to the Association’s bylaws, the evolving roles of Executive Committee members, activity reports presented by the Honorary Secretary and the Editor of the Indian Journal of Palliative Care, the new guidelines issued on 1st Apr 2026 for Registered Non-Profit Organisation and the Association’s finances. My sincere appreciation goes to Dr. Sukdev Nayak, Dr Sumita Mohanty and their dedicated team for their outstanding hospitality and meticulous arrangements that made the meeting both productive and enjoyable.
During the Executive Committee meeting, we were deeply moved by the generous contribution announced by Dr. Sumita Mohanty (Professor of Anaesthesiology and In-charge, Palliative Medicine, AHPGIC, Cuttack, and Scientific Chair, IAPCON 2027). She has donated ₹11 lakh to IAPC in memory of her beloved son, Late Mr Sambit Das, and expressed her wish to institute an oration in his memory. The Executive Committee gratefully accepted this noble gesture and unanimously approved the institution of the “Sambit Das – IAPC Oration,” which will be inaugurated during IAPCON 2027 in Bhubaneswar. I am pleased to share that Padma Shri Dr. Ravi Kannan (Director, Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Silchar, Assam) will deliver the inaugural oration. We remain deeply grateful to Dr. Sumita Mohanty for transforming personal loss into a lasting legacy that will inspire generations of palliative care professionals.
I am delighted to congratulate the Assam and Odisha State Chapters of IAPC on their formal registration. I wish both chapters every success in their future activities.
It is with profound sadness that we remember Dr. Anuradha Sowani, the Founding Director of Cipla Palliative Care and Training Centre and an esteemed IAPC member from Pune, who passed away on 24th July, 2026. Her contributions to palliative care and her dedication to the profession will always be remembered with respect and gratitude. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
I would also like to remind you to register now and take advantage of the early bird registration for IAPCON 2027, available until 31st August, 2026. IAPC has also announced Conference Participation Grants for young professionals and volunteers to support their participation in IAPCON 2027, scheduled to be held in February 2027 in Bhubaneswar. These grants have been instituted to encourage and support our young professionals and volunteers by providing them with an opportunity to learn, network, and excel in palliative care through participation in India’s premier palliative care conference. On behalf of IAPC, I warmly invite all eligible participants to make use of this opportunity.
With warm regards,
Dr. Geeta Joshi
President
Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC)