Announcements / Messages from IAPC

IAPC’s Infographic of the month: Palliative Care in Advanced Liver Disease

As a part of the ongoing series on “Integrating Palliative Care across Medical Specialities”, we are delighted to present the IAPC’s Infographic for August 2026: “Palliative Care in Advanced Liver Disease– Care today. Comfort always. Dignity Preserved.”

The IAPC’s monthly infographic series reflects its constant endeavour to promote palliative care education and awareness across the country.

Please feel free to share this infographic within your networks. The same will be available on our social media platforms and also on our website.

Please click here to access IAPC’s infographics published till date.

We thank Dr Wasim Hoda (Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesia, Pain, Palliative and Critical Care, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand), for his valuable support towards this initiative.

IAPC Conference Participation Grant to Attend IAPCON 2027

Applications Now Open!

20 grants of up to Rs. 25,000 each are available.

The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) is pleased to announce the launch of its first-ever IAPC Conference Participation Grant to support eligible delegates in attending the 34th Annual International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2027).

The IAPCON 2027 will be held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from 19–21 February 2027, with pre-conference workshops on 18 February 2027.

A total of 20 grants, each providing financial support of up to Rs. 25,000, are available for eligible applicants.

This new initiative has been introduced to encourage early-career palliative care professionals and dedicated volunteers to participate in IAPCON 2027—the premier annual conference on palliative care in India. The conference offers an invaluable platform fo learning, networking, collaboration, and professional development.

For details, eligibility criteria, and to submit your application, please click here.

Present Your Research at IAPCON 2027 and Compete for IAPC Awards

The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) is pleased to announce a total prize pool of Rs. 4,00,000 for the winners of the paper and poster presentation competitions at the 34th Annual International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2027). This prestigious competition invites entries under four distinct categories:

  1. Doctors
  2. Doctors (Students) – MD/DNB students from any speciality and students pursuing full-time, offline fellowships in any speciality
  3. Nurses
  4. Others – including Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Counsellors, Social Workers, Volunteers, and allied professionals

Each category will have three awards each for both paper and poster presentations:

  • First Prize: Rs 25,000 and a certificate
  • Second Prize: Rs 15,000 and a certificate
  • Third Prize: Rs 10,000 and a certificate

A total of 24 prizes (12 for paper presentations and 12 for poster presentations), across the four categories, will be awarded at IAPCON 2026.

We encourage all eligible professionals and students to submit their abstracts and showcase their contributions to the field of palliative care. This is an opportunity to gain recognition for your work and commitment to advancing palliative care in India.

Abstract submission guidelines will be published shortly on IAPCON website. Please click here to visit the IAPCON website.

Please click here for further details about the IAPC Awards.

IAPCON 2027: Register Now to Avail Early Bird Registration

Early Bird registration for the 34th Annual International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2027) is open until 31st August 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to take advantage of the Early Bird registration rates and secure your place at India’s premier annual conference on palliative care.

The Organising Committee warmly invites palliative care professionals, volunteers, students, researchers, and all those interested in palliative care to register and be part of this enriching scientific and networking event.

IAPCON 2027 will be held at the Convention Complex, SOA University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from 19th to 21st February 2027, with pre-conference workshops on 18th February, 2027.

For further details and to register online, please visit the Conference website.

Register Now for ‘IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses 2026’

Online Screening Test Available from 1st August

The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) has received an encouraging response from nurses to its invitation to participate in the ‘IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses 2026’.

We are delighted to announce that the Online Screening Test will be available from 1 August 2026 for all eligible applicants who have already registered.

The Academic Board of this prestigious examination warmly invites nurses across the country to register and compete for this distinguished award.

Registrations will remain open until 28th August 2026. Don’t miss this opportunity to participate!

Candidates who register early will have ample time to complete the online screening test, which will remain open until 31 August 2026.

Please click here to register for the online screening test.  Only registered candidates will receive link for the online screening test.

Dr. Dinesh Kumar (Coordinator, IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses 2026), shares a few important updates:

  • The candidates who have successfully registered with appropriate documents will receive a mail with a registration number and link for the Step 1 screening Examination on the e-mail ID provided during registration, on 1st & 2nd August 2026.
  • All the communication related to IAPC Gold Medal for Nurse 2026 will be through the email iapcgoldmedalnurse@gmail.com.
  • In case you have not received any communication, please check your spam mails before contacting us.
  • Email has been sent to the concerned candidate regarding their non-eligibility for the award competition along with reason for the same.

Instituted in 2024, the IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses is now being conducted for the third consecutive year. This initiative aims to encourage nurses involved in palliative care to further enhance their knowledge and skills and strive for excellence in palliative care practice.

The top 5 rank holders from the Step 1 online screening examination will be invited to participate in the Step 2 process, an in-person examination scheduled to be held on Monday, 23rd November 2026, at Shree Krishna Hospital, Bhaikaka University, Karamsad, Anand, Gujarat

The winner of the ‘IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses 2026’ will receive a cash prize of Rs. 25,000/- (Twenty-five thousand only), a citation and a medal.

Please click here for further details regarding the guidelines, the selection process, and the timelines.

Textbook on Essentials of Palliative Care (Reprint of Fifth Edition)

Now available from online stores

We are delighted to announce that the Textbook on Essentials of Palliative Care, (Reprint of Fifth Edition), published by the Indian Association of Palliative Care, is now available for purchase online.

Developed for doctors, nurses and allied health workers caring for patients with life-limiting illness, the book spans 29 chapters across six sections: getting to know palliative care, symptom management, palliative care in special situations, nursing issues, terminal and post-death care, and drugs in palliative care. It brings together contributions from leading faculty in the field, balancing evidence-based practice with the emotional, spiritual and social dimensions of care.

  • Paperback, 400 pages, Rs. 825.
  • Available now on: Notion Press.

The book is also available in Amazon and Flipkart.

Four Centres Accredited to Conduct IAPC’s Fellowship in Home and Hospice Palliative Care

The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) is pleased to announce the accreditation of three centres to conduct the Fellowship in Home and Hospice Palliative Care (FHHPC). This marks an important milestone in strengthening structured training in home and hospice palliative care across the country. The inaugural batch of the Fellowship is scheduled to commence in August 2026.

The accredited centres are:

  1. IQRAA-THANAL PALLIATIVE CARE CENTRE, Kozhikode, Kerala
    2 seats
    Contact: Dr Rari Rahman, 9496344166, rari.rcp@gmail.com
  2. SPARSH HOSPICE, Hyderabad, Telangana
    2 seats
    Contact: Dr V. Raju, 8500856789, academia@sparshhospice.org
  3. SRI SATHYA SAI PALLIATIVE CARE AND CANCER CENTRE, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh
    2 seats
    Contact: Dr Sathya Sai Shree Lakshmi, 8310766193, support@ssspcc.in
  4. GANGAPREM HOSPICE, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
    2 seats
    Contact: Ms Pooja Dogra, 9810931743, pooja@gangapremhospice.org

Congratulations on being part of this initiative, and our best wishes for your success. We sincerely request your support in ensuring the successful delivery of this programme.

Please click here for further details about the Fellowship in Home and Hospice Palliative Care.

Update: IAPC Mid-Term Executive Committee Meeting 2026 & IAPCON 2027 Venue Visit

The Mid-Term Executive Committee Meeting of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) was held on 18–19 July 2026 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, under the leadership of Dr. Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC) and Dr. Sanghamitra Bora (Honorary Secretary, IAPC). The meeting brought together Executive Committee members to review the Association’s activities, discuss key strategic priorities, and plan future initiatives.

The Executive Committee deliberated on a wide range of matters, including membership growth, state chapter activities, academic programmes, publications, governance, financial updates, and policy initiatives. Discussions also focused on professional indemnity insurance, insurance coverage for home-based palliative care, clinical guidelines, and other initiatives aimed at strengthening palliative care services in the country.

A detailed discussion was held on strengthening the Indian Journal of Palliative Care (IJPC), and the following decisions were taken:

  • IJPC Cover Redesign: A design competition will be announced shortly to invite innovative concepts for the IJPC cover page.
  • Strengthening the Editorial Board: New Associate Editors will be inducted to further strengthen the Editorial Board.
  • Constitution of Advisory Panels: National and International Advisory Panels will be constituted
  • Annual Postgraduate Special Issue: An Annual Postgraduate Special Issue will be introduced.

Preparations for IAPCON 2027 formed a significant part of the agenda. The Scientific and Organising Committees presented updates on the scientific programme, workshops, abstract submission process, and conference logistics. Members of the Executive Committee also visited the conference venue and appreciated the excellent infrastructure and arrangements being made at the Conference Venue (SOA University) for the successful conduct of the conference.

The IAPC Executive Committee greatly appreciated the commitment and dedication of the Organising Team of the IAPCON 2027, led by Dr Sukdev Nayak (Organising Secretary), Dr Sumita Mohanty (Chairman, Scientific Committee), Dr Sarvadarshi Saraswata Mahapatra (Joint Organising Secretary), Dr Khushbhu Singh (Co-Chair, Workshops Committee) towards organising a successful conference. The Executive Committee also extended its heartfelt gratitude to the Organising Team for their warm hospitality extended during the Executive Committee meeting.   

The meeting concluded with constructive discussions and several important resolutions, reaffirming IAPC’s commitment to advancing education, advocacy, research, and quality palliative care across India.

Assam and Odisha State Chatpers of IAPC Formally Registered: Congratulations!

Assam State Chapter

We are delighted to share that the Assam State Chapter of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) was formally registered under the Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860, on 5th June 2026.

This registration marks a significant milestone in the development and strengthening of palliative care services in Assam and the Northeast region.

Office bearers of the Assam State Chapter of IAPC:

Chairman:  Dr Dinesh Chandra Goswami

Secretary: Dr Kabindra Bhagabati

Treasurer: Mr Tarun Sonowal

Heartiest congratulations to the Assam State Chapter of the IAPC on this remarkable achievement. We wish the Chapter every success in advancing palliative care and serving individuals living with serious health-related suffering across the region.

Odisha State Chapter

Another important update comes from the Odisha State Chapter of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC). We are delighted to share that the Odisha State Chapter was formally registered on 23rd July, 2026 under the Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860.

This registration marks an important milestone and will further strengthen palliative care activities across the state.

Office Bearers of the Odisha State Chapter:

President: Dr Bidhu K. Mohanti

Secretary: Dr Mami Parija

Treasurer: Mr Chandra Sekhar Panda

The IAPC extends its heartfelt congratulations and warm wishes to the Odisha State Chapter on this significant achievement and wishes the team every success in advancing palliative care across the state.

Gujarat Issues Order on Withholding and Withdrawal of Life Support

The Government of Gujarat has issued an important order directing all registered clinical establishments in the state to implement the Supreme Court’s guidelines that simplified the process of the withholding and withdrawal of life support in terminally ill individuals. The order outlines the legal, ethical and procedural framework for end-of-life care, emphasizing respect for patient dignity, autonomy, transparency and proper documentation.

It mandates the constitution of Primary and Secondary Medical Boards for decision-making, recognises valid Advance Medical Directives, and reiterates that active euthanasia remains illegal. Importantly, the order requires all clinical establishments to facilitate a transition to palliative and compassionate care, ensuring comfort and dignity for individuals at the end of life. This marks a significant step towards strengthening ethical end-of-life care practices in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directives.

For details, please click here.

IAPC Expresses Its Deepest Condolences on the Demise of Dr Anuradha Sowani

The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) expresses its profound grief at the passing of Dr Anuradha Sowani, an eminent oncologist and one of the pioneers of palliative care in India. She passed away on 24 July 2026 at the age of 70 in Pune.

Dr Sowani served as the Founding Director of the Cipla Palliative Care & Training Centre, Pune. Beyond medicine, she was an accomplished writer who contributed widely through columns and articles in leading Marathi publications.

The Indian Association of Palliative Care extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Singing for the Stars

Highlights from the July 2026 Event

“Singing for the Stars” Continues to Spread Joy Through Music

The July edition of “Singing for the Stars,” the monthly online musical programme jointly organised by the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) and Shankar Mahadevan Academy (SMA) Nirvana, was held successfully on Wednesday, 22nd July, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The programme featured Ms Himangi Vishwaroop, vocalist and performing artist, who captivated participants with a beautifully curated collection of monsoon-themed Bollywood songs. Healthcare professionals, caregivers, institutions, and, most importantly, the “Real Stars”-individuals receiving palliative care, enjoyed an hour of music, comfort, and togetherness.

IAPC extends its heartfelt congratulations to Ms Himangi Vishwaroop for her memorable performance and expresses sincere gratitude to SMA Nirvana for its continued partnership in bringing music, comfort, and joy to individuals receiving palliative care through this unique monthly initiative.

Leverage the IAPC’s Social Media to stay connected!

The IAPC is inviting each of you to join the IAPC’s Social Media community to network and stay connected with the palliative care community, from India and beyond!

To get started, Follow / Like us on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/palliativecare.in

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iapc-1994/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iapcsecretary

New vacancies from across the country now published in the IAPC’s Careers page

We invite you to visit the IAPC’s ‘View job vacancy’ page to view the recently updated vacancies in palliative care from across the country.

Details of current vacancies are:

We request you to please also join us to improve the availability and access to palliative care by either sharing the details of vacancies at your center or by sharing the details of this platform with your colleagues to submit a vacancy from centers rendering palliative care services.

Call for Support: Your 2 minutes = Someone’s entire lifetime of Peace, Comfort and Dignity!

The IAPC requests you to spare just two minutes of your valuable time to submit / update the details of your palliative care services in the IAPC’s National Palliative Care Directory.

Steps to show your support:

  1. Please visit the IAPC’s National Palliative Care Directory and select the State from the drop down menu to check details of your center.
  2. If you need to add / update details of your center, then please visit the Submit/Update details of your PC center page on the IAPC website and submit the relevant details.
  3. After entering the relevant details, please click the ‘Submit’ button to record your responses.

Please do remember that your two minutes will make an invaluable difference in someone’s entire lifetime, as patients and caregivers, along with your colleagues will then have access to palliative care services when they need it the most!

Come on, donate your time to be a bridge in alleviating the suffering of our patients from across the country. Let no one be left behind!

Please click here for guidance on how to update your details.

‘Saath Saath Helpline’: India’s free palliative care helpline

Saath-Saath Helpline: 1800-202-7777, is the first of its kind National, Free-of-cost Palliative care helpline. The helpline offers non-judgmental listening services to palliative patients and their caregivers, or to a patient’s physician, and connects them to the nearest palliative care center.

The helpline has 26 partner organisations working across 17 States and Union territories viz; Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Orissa, Punjab, Haryana, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kashmir and West Bengal. Volunteers from Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) and Cipla Palliative Care and Training Centre (CPC) attend the calls in four shifts to either provide information, offer Psycho-emotional support or to refer the caller to a partner organisation.

The helpline provides service through call-in on a phone line and works 6 days a week (Mon-Sat), 10 am to 6 pm.

You can offer your support by informing patients about this helpline and refer those who are in need of such services.