A Photo Journey – Looking through the prism of Palliative Care
The IAPC celebrates this year’s ‘World Photography Day’ (19th August, 2024) with a special initiative ‘A Photo Journey – Looking through the prism of Palliative Care’.
This unique initiative leverages a powerful medium, photography, to capture the journey and essence of palliative care over the years through the lens of our contributors. Whether it is a moment of compassion, the beauty of resilience, or the quiet strength found in the face of adversity, these profound images encapsulate the essence and the positive impact of a palliative care, a vital aspect of healthcare.
This collection of photographs which align with the initiative’s theme, ‘Looking through the prism of Palliative Care’ (in observance of this year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day), highlights the human stories, the tender interactions, and the everyday acts of kindness that make palliative care an essential part of the healthcare continuum.
We invite you to join us in this visual exploration and help us shed light on heartwarming and evocative images, each of which showcases the beauty and depth of palliative care.
(Photographs published in alphabetical order of the contributors name)
Other terms and conditions:
- A maximum of 2 (two) photographs can be submitted per individual.
- Only original photograph(s) taken by the submitting individual themself can be submitted. The individual must be the sole owner of the photograph(s) and have unrestricted copyrights and usage rights.
- Please ensure that no copyrights, trademarks etc. are violated as per the law, and that you also have the consent of people (if any) photographed, to protect their privacy.
- The IAPC WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for any legal issues arising due to the photograph submitted by any individual.
- The individual will grant the IAPC royalty free, exclusive and transferable rights to use, reproduce, edit or distribute any materials submitted in this initiative.
- By submitting the photo(s), the individual gives the IAPC the permission to publish, share, or reproduce the images in print and in digital publications on the IAPC’s social media platforms, it’s website and on other related digital locations.
- The IAPC reserves the right to not publish those pictures which deviate in any way from the guidelines provided.
- Pictures published will be screened by the project committee and its decision will be final. No correspondence pertaining to the selection process and decision will be entertained.
Submit your photographs
We thank you for your interest to participate in this initiative. However, we are unable to accept your submission as the last date to submit entries was on 6th August, 2024.
All fields marked with [ * ] are compulsory to fill up.
Ajay Varma
“A compassionate individual, trained in palliative care through the IAPC’s Certificate Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers.”
Photo Title: Eid Mubarak
Photo Description:
A home care visit to COPD patient under palliative care, gets the Nurse and Social Worker inked with their daughters love and customary Sheer Khorma.
Athira C
“I am a Social worker at Iqrra thanal pain and palliative care. I focus on the patient and their caregiver to provide psychosocial support and also help with other programmes”
Photo Title: Journey
Photo Description:
A trip to Hilite Mall with patients and their care givers.
Photo Title: A smile says a lot
Photo Description:
A smile always warms everyone’s heart and spreads joy.
Bikash Anand
“Being a palliative care physician drives me through the real life situation where there is hope when everyone thinks it’s the end.”
Photo Title: When Goodbye has a message
Photo Description:
Patient on home based palliative care: Receiving care at the best of the places i.e within the comfort of their own homes to ease one’s suffering.
Photo Title: Leave no one behind
Photo Description:
The need for Palliative care is most when one is neglected or left behind in the journey of suffering.
Dean George
“I am a health psychologist working in a hospice facility in Hyderabad, Telangana, which is dedicated to delivering palliative care services to people in need.”
Photo Title: Bridging the Gap: Compassionate care in times of isolation
Photo Description:
A nurse provides emotional support through her reassuring touch to a patient who is sad as she is away from her family due to her illness.
Photo Title: Celebrating life beyond illness
Photo Description:
This image captures the spirit of palliative care-celebrating life and fostering a sense of normalcy and happiness despite challenging circumstances.
Maya Nair
“I am a nurse in the Palliative care unit of SAIMS University of Indore. I love taking care of people in need. It is my life’s motto to take care of people.”
Photo Title: Counting Blessings
Photo Description:
This picture depicts a day in my life as a palliative care nurse. It depicts how grateful I feel to be bestowed with the act of service.
Photo Title: Strength in Togetherness: Finding peace amidst healing
Photo Description:
In the palliative care ward, a patient with a fractured leg sits peacefully with her husband amidst the medical devices. Their shared moment of tranquility highlights the power of love and companionship, as they find hope and strength to prove that healing is as much about connection as it is about medicine.
Moushumi Chatterjee Singh
“I teach at a school and bringing joy to people fulfils me. I have some training in palliation. My journey began with Baba, who passed away from cancer.”
Photo Title: Caroling of Hope
Photo Description:
Carol Dec, 2021. Baba sat up for the celebrations. Social bonding. He sang to his heart’s content.The group sang all his favourite songs.
Photo Title: Last Christmas
Photo Description:
The family stayed with him 24×7. The grandchildren brought him great joy. His smile says it all. Soon after, on the 8th of Jan, 2022, he changed address.
Pankaj Singhai
“I am a palliative care specialist committed to enhancing patient comfort and addressing healthcare disparities.”
Photo Title: Sky is the limit to Care
Photo Description:
Our commitment to our patients is as limitless as the sky. We are dedicated to ensuring their comfort and well-being at every turn.
Parul Raina
“An Anesthetist who has completed Fellowship in Palliative Care from Pallium India in 2023, with a keen interest in palliative care and chronic pain.”
Photo Title: Hope in despair, palliative care
Photo Description:
This photo was taken during one of the home visits in one of villages in Trivandrum. The visit from the Pallium team itself brings a smile on her face which is clear in this photograph.
Priyadharshini S
“As a consultant psychologist at 4basecare, I believe that human touch may also heal people. Our presence provides silence and comfort in their journey.”
Photo Title: Continuity of care through a simple touch
Photo Description:
This captures palliative care’s essence: timeless simple connection, symbolizing empathy, spiritual connection and enduring human touch through care.
Priyanshu
“Palliative care transformed me by seeing the whole person and not just the illness. I was inspired by the concept of “total pain”. Grateful for compassionate care.”
Photo Title: A Shared Path
Photo Description:
Side by side, they walk the journey together. Palliative care: a shared path of comfort, compassion, and hope.
Photo Title: The cloud of comfort
Photo Description:
Like clouds shielding one from the sun, palliative care offers comfort & protection to both the patient and the caregiver. It is a shared umbrella against life’s storms.
Rashmi Gupta
“Cancer Palliative Care Associate leading Palliative Care. A non-physician provider who pairs system level innovation and quality care to patients.”
Photo Title: Love Care and Concern of a mother-in-law to her daughter-in-law who is suffering from Recurrence Malignant Brain Tumour
Photo Description:
A beautiful relationship of a young Brain tumour patient and her mother-in-law; Counselling helped them physically, emotionally and provided motivation for life.
Photo Title: 2 Brave Survivors: Love the smile of Gratitude.. A young girl and an old woman proved that Cancer is not a death sentence
Photo Description:
A survivor of Ca Cervix and a survivor of Osteosarcoma. A positive mindset, supportive care and emotional strength helped them through their journey.
Sakti Paul
“Founder of an NGO which provides social support including palliation for homeless people, on a regular basis in Siliguri, West Bengal.”
Photo Title: Cultivating Compassion: The palliative way
Photo Description:
In Siliguri, palliation is provided regularly to patients who are also sometimes homeless.
Samujjhal Bharadwaj
“I am working as a Doctor under the project Integrated Hospital Based Continuity of Care in BBCI, Guwahati.”
Photo Title: Deuka – The Wings!
Photo Description:
Home care team’s visit to a Ca patient who has only her little Grand Daughter to take care of her. We told the little girl, “You fly, we’ll be the wings and the sky”. The child then had a bright smile as she said “Yes, at least there is somebody for me too.”
Sheelarani
“A nurse who works with Pallium India and who understands the truth that everyone longs for love and mercy.”
Photo Title: Home Care
Photo Description:
Palliative care is care for all. We must understand and care for our patients while being aware that everyone wants love and mercy regardless of caste, religion and politics.
Photo Title: Community
Photo Description:
No matter what the work is, the association of love is great for all of us at Pallium India.
Shramana
“A sociologist who stumbled upon a job at a rural healthcare centre in central India and found her way to coordinate a palliative care programme.”
Photo Title: The last look
Photo Description:
When the doctor-led PC team visited her house for a final meet, her son saw her leave the bed in weeks for the first time to adore her new dressing.
Photo Title: Compassion in Action
Photo Description:
When she couldn’t come to the OPD, the OPD came to her home in a distant hamlet with food, medicines, dressing kit, and a basket of warmth.
Shunmuga Priya I C
“Completed MD in Palliative Medicine from AIIMS New Delhi. Continuing practice as a Senior Resident at CMC Vellore. 4 years now and many years ahead…”
Photo Title: Compassion is the key
Photo Description:
Your compassion shines like the sun to someone whose path is scary and dark.
Swaroop Kumar Baral
“A compassionate nurse who loves to go on home care visits. I believe that it is important to sit with the patient for atleast 15 minutes in addition to giving them medication.”
Photo Title: Care giver is equally important
Photo Description:
Here the caregiver is preparing food for his wife who has cancer. How difficult it might be for him in this age? Our visits help him relax as well.
Photo Title: Palliative Care for all
Photo Description:
A herdswoman with life limiting disease and no bystanders is empowered to do dressing of her breast wound. She always thought of us as a family member.
Vibha S P
“I feel privileged to work in palliative care for over 6 years now. Understanding people’s suffering drives me to contribute my bit towards relieving the suffering which in turn also helps me to reflect upon my life.”
Photo Title: Voicing unspoken moments of care & love
Photo Description:
She is able to speak a little with speech therapy. Voicing her needs & affection has greatly transformed how her mother manages her cerebral palsy.
Photo Title: A touch that heals
Photo Description:
Often, a touch heals more, especially when we know that not every wound bleeds, or in those situations which leaves us bare and unrecognisable even to our own selves. Volunteers are unsung heroes.