A Two-Day Training Programme on Palliative Care at Government Medical College, Srinagar

A two-day teaching and training programme on pain and palliative care was conducted at Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, on 7–8 September 2026. The programme is part of an ICMR-funded project titled “To Build the Capacity of Palliative Care Services in 10 Hospitals in North India to Reduce Suffering in Patients with Chronic Debilitating Conditions”.

The project is being implemented under the supervision of Dr Sushma Bhatnagar (Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi), and Dr Brajesh Kumar Ratre (AIIMS, New Delhi).

The programme brought together healthcare professionals for interactive academic sessions and clinical learning, with faculty from AIIMS New Delhi, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar, Jammu and Hospitals across Kashmir region.

Dr Sushma Bhatnagar opened the programme with a session introducing palliative care and the concept of total pain, highlighting the importance of addressing patients’ physical, psychological, social and spiritual suffering.

The training covered key topics including cancer pain assessment and management, opioid titration and conversion, WHO analgesic ladder for cancer pain, neuropathic, bony and breakthrough pain management with case based discussions, nursing in palliative care, paediatric palliative care, symptom management, communication and breaking bad news, end-of-life care communication, ethics in palliative care, physiotherapy in palliative care, morphine procurement and safe prescription management of gastrointestinal, respiratory and end-of-life care symptoms and palliative care update in Jammu and Kashmir. The case-based discussions helped connect theoretical learning with clinical practice. Pre- and post-training assessments were conducted to evaluate participants’ knowledge at the beginning and end of the programme.

The programme was organised with the support of Dr Arshi Taj and Dr Nusrat Jehan and their team from GMC Srinagar, whose efforts contributed to facilitating this capacity-building initiative.

This training marks another step towards strengthening palliative care services in peripheral hospitals in Kashmir through education, multidisciplinary collaboration and continued capacity building.

A message from the project team

Strengthening palliative care requires more than training; it requires continued collaboration, mentorship and a shared commitment to compassionate care. Through this ICMR-funded initiative, we aim to empower healthcare professionals and support the integration of palliative care into routine services, ensuring that patients and families receive the care, comfort and dignity they deserve.

Report prepared by Dr Varun Shekhar (Department of Onco-Anaesthesia & Palliative Medicine, Dr. B.R.A. IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi)

Strengthening Palliative Care Services in Nagaland

An emerging initiative through collaboration between ABAM, Impur Christian Hospital and the Medical Community

Nagaland has significant opportunities to strengthen palliative care services through collaboration between healthcare institutions, medical professionals, churches and community-based organisations. A recent initiative by the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM-Apex Body of AO Baptist churches in Nagaland) marks an important step towards this goal.  ABAM organised its first-ever Consultative Fellowship with Ao medical doctors from the Dimapur area. The program, hosted recently by Dimapur Ao Baptist Arogo (DABA), brought together 52 medical doctors in person, with another 15 participating online.

The consultation aimed to generate awareness and identify potential areas of partnership between ABAM and the medical fraternity to strengthen healthcare services, including palliative care.

Identifying the Need for Palliative Care

During the consultation, the need to strengthen palliative care services emerged as an important area of discussion.

Dr Obangjungla (Executive Committee Member, IAPC), drawing on her experience in palliative care, highlighted the shortage of trained professionals in this field in Nagaland. She noted that the state currently has only one doctor with an MD specialisation in Palliative Medicine. She also highlighted the contribution of Impur Christian Hospital (ICH)towards providing palliative care services as part of its long-standing healthcare mission

The discussions also emphasised the importance of looking beyond institutional care and developing a broader, community-oriented palliative care network. Medical professionals were encouraged to identify people in need of palliative care, particularly older people and those living with serious illnesses, within their respective communities.

Proposed Areas of Collaboration

The ABAM consultation identified several potential areas of partnership between the organisation and the medical community. These include: Expanding palliative care services at Impur Christian Hospital and exploring opportunities to develop similar services in other parts of Nagaland, Training and capacity building,Developing a community-oriented approach, Church and medical community partnership, medical camps and outreach activities, mentoring and professional support.

The consultative fellowship organised by ABAM represents an encouraging beginning towards strengthening palliative care in Nagaland. The involvement of medical professionals, together with the existing institutional experience of Impur Christian Hospital and the extensive reach of the church network, offers an opportunity to develop a collaborative model of care.

The meeting was addressed by Rev. Temsü Jamir (Executive Secretary of ABAM), Dr Sashi, (Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Impur Christian Hospital) and Dr Noktang Jamir.

Palliora: An Exhibition to Strengthen Public Awareness of Palliative Care by IQRAA- Thanal Palliative Care Centre, Kozhikode

Palliora – The Palliative Care Exhibition, organised by IQRAA–Thanal Palliative Care Centre, Kozhikode, commenced at Kozhikode Beach on 29 October 2026, receiving an encouraging response from the public. The exhibition marks the fifth anniversary of IQRAA–Thanal Palliative Care Service and aims to bring palliative care closer to the community through public awareness, interactive experiences and knowledge-sharing.

Over the past five years, the Centre has worked towards addressing the physical, psychological, social and spiritual concerns of individuals living with serious health conditions and their families. Palliora seeks to highlight the various dimensions of palliative care and demonstrate its role in improving quality of life, relieving suffering and supporting families throughout the care journey. By taking the exhibition to a public space, it also seeks to encourage wider conversations about palliative care and dispel the misconception that it is limited to end-of-life care.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Ms Malavika G Nair, IAS (Assistant Collector, Kozhikode.)

Exploring the many dimensions of palliative care

The exhibition features several interactive and informative sections that offer visitors an opportunity to understand palliative care through different perspectives. The Experiential Zone features hands-on stations exploring pain, expression, mobility, psychological well-being, dignity and the experiences of caregivers. Stories from the Shore presents photographic narratives and first-person accounts of individuals receiving care, their families and caregivers.

Living with Dignity showcases assistive devices and practical aids that promote comfort and independence at home, while Care in the Community highlights the contributions of volunteers, neighbourhood networks and home-care teams in extending palliative care services across Kerala. Five Years of IQRAA–Thanal reflects on the Centre’s journey, its impact and its vision for the future.

Visitors can also interact with doctors, nurses and volunteers at the Ask & Learn Kiosks to learn about palliative care, caregiving and available support services. Through Become Part of the Land, visitors are encouraged to join as volunteers, supporters or friends of palliative care, emphasising the role of community participation in building a compassionate society.

Dialogues, academic sessions and panel discussions

A key component of Palliora is the four-day programme, ‘Dialogues, Academic Sessions & Panel Discussions: Where Knowledge Meets Lived Experience’, held from 29 October to 1 November 2026. Bringing together healthcare professionals, caregivers, volunteers, policymakers and families, the programme provides an open platform to exchange experiences, discuss emerging perspectives and explore ways to strengthen palliative care in Kerala. All sessions are open to both professionals and members of the public.

The discussions cover a wide range of themes, including paediatric palliative care, home-based care and dying at home, youth engagement, intersectionality, rehabilitation, hospital-based care, spirituality, caregiver burden, mental health, community-based palliative care and intensive care unit (ICU) palliative care. The programme also addresses the specific needs of children, young people and older adults, equitable access to care across different life circumstances, and the contribution of community networks and volunteer initiatives.

An open discussion on envisioning a new Kerala through palliative care forms part of the concluding day’s programme, followed by the closing ceremony.s

As IQRAA–Thanal Palliative Care Centre completes five years of service, Palliora offers an opportunity to reflect on its achievements, communicate the importance of palliative care to a wider audience and encourage meaningful community participation.