Announcements / Messages from IAPC
IAPC’s Infographic of the month
The November Infographic focuses on the concept of ‘Advance Care Planning and Medical Directives in India.’
This initiative reflects the IAPC’s 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 the same.
We thank Dr Wasimul Hoda (Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesia, RIMS, Ranchi) for his enthusiasm and constant support towards this initiative.
Ms Sneha P awarded the ‘IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses 2024’
We are delighted to announce that Ms. Sneha P from Kerala has been awarded the inaugural ‘IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses 2024’. Ms Sneha has completed her BSc in Nursing from SIMET College of Nursing, Kasargod, Kerala, and is now working with Government of Kerala’s Health Service.
The ‘IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses in 2024’ initiative was introduced this year to encourage excellence in palliative care nursing.
We are also happy to share that Ms Meenu Yadav, a Nursing Officer from AIIMS, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is the runner-up from the final examination. The other finalists who participated in this examination were (names shown in alphabetical order): Ms Deepika, Chhattisgarh; Ms Maheshwari, Chhattisgarh; Mr Sandeep Singh, Punjab; and Ms Surabhi Mondal, West Bengal.
Ms Sneha was declared the winner after securing the highest score among the six candidates who participated in the in-person final examination (a rigorous 6-hour examination featuring 3 sections: Theory, OSCE and a Viva-Voce), which was held on Monday, 28th October, 2024, at the Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), Kozhikode, Kerala. The six finalists were shortlisted from the 81 nurses from across the country, who participated in the ‘Step 1: an online open book screening examination’ held during August, 2024
Ms Sneha will be presented with a cash prize of Rs. 25,000/- (Twenty-five thousand only), a citation, and a medal, during IAPCON 2025, scheduled to be held at AIIMS Jammu between Friday, 31st January, 2025, to Sunday, 2nd February, 2025.
On the day of the examination, Dr Sushma Bhatnagar (President, IAPC) virtually addressed the candidates by welcoming them and extending her warm wishes. Candidates then proceeded to the examination after being briefed about the examination procedure by Dr Lulu Mathews (Coordinator, IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses 2024) and Ms Alice Stella Verginia (National Faculty, IAPC), both of who were also the examiners for the day.
The IAPC extends it’s heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Ms Sneha P, Ms Meenu Yadav and all the other finalists!
The IAPC also thanks Dr Lulu Mathews for passionately curating this initiative. Gratitude to Dr Lulu and Ms Stella for meticulously conducting this examination.
Please click here to know the complete details of ‘IAPC’s Gold Medal for Nurses 2024’.
Call for Proposal: IAPCON 2027
The IAPC is inviting proposals to conduct the 34th Annual International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2027).
Those interested to organise the conference are requested to submit their expression of interest by emailing the proposal in the requested and prescribed format to the Secretary, IAPC, at iapcagbm@gmail.com before 5 p.m. on Monday, 13th January, 2025.
The conference venue for IAPCON 2027, will be decided in the IAPC’s Annual General Body Meeting held at Jammu in February, 2025, on the basis of the proposals received by the Secretary.
The 33rd Annual International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2026) will be held at Hyderabad, Telangana, and is being organised jointly by Sparsh Hospice, Hyderabad, and Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Hyderabad.
IAPCON 2025: Submit abstracts before 15th November, 2024. Interesting prizes announced!
Researchers from around the globe are invited to present their work in palliative care during the 32nd Annual International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2025), scheduled to be held at the Auditorium of AIIMS Jammu, between Friday, 31st January, 2025, and Sunday, 2nd February, 2025.
Researchers this year have an opportunity to win the ‘MT Bhatia Award for Best Poster presentation for Nurses’ which will present the winner with a cash prize and a certificate; the ‘IAPC’s Award for Doctors’ which will be awarded to winners of the 3 best poster presentations and 3 best oral presentations. Each awardee from both categories will receive a cash prize and a certificate; or the ‘IAPC’s Award for Nurses, Social Workers, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists, Psychologists, and Volunteers’ will be awarded to winners of the 3 best poster presentations and 3 best oral presentations. Each awardee from both categories will receive a cash prize and a certificate. Please click here to read further information about abstract submissions.
The theme for IAPCON 2025 is ‘Evidence based Palliative Care’.
Registrations are also invited for the 15 very exciting and innovative pre-conference workshops which are slated for Thursday, 30th January, 2025. The organisers share that some of the pre-conference workshops are organised for the first time at IAPCON and that they are being led by expert palliative care professionals from across the world. For further details regarding the pre-conference workshops, please click here.
Please click here to visit the conference website for further information and to register for IAPCON 2025.
IAPC’s Election Notification
Notice is hereby given to all members of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC), that elections for it’s office bearers will be held on Saturday, 1st February, 2025, during IAPCON 2025.
Nominations are invited for the following posts:
- Secretary, IAPC (2026 – 2029) (Secretary Elect from 2025 – 2026; Secretary from 2026 – 2029)
- Central council members: West zone (1 vacancy, 2025-27)
Please note the relevant and important dates:
- Last date to submit online nomination: 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 10th December, 2024
- Last date to withdraw nomination: Friday, 10th January, 2025
- Election date: Saturday, 1st February, 2025
Interested candidates are requested to email the scanned copy of the signed and completed nomination and CV form to the Secretary, IAPC, at iapcelections@gmail.com before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 10th December, 2024. Nominations submitted to any other email address will NOT BE accepted.
Please note that Applicants must use one form for one nomination.
Please click here to know more about the eligibility criteria and to download the nomination and CV form.
In case of any queries, please write to the IAPC’s secretariat at nioiapc@gmail.com or assistant.nio.iapc@gmail.com.
IAPC’s Central Council members visit IAPCON 2025 Venue at AIIMS, Jammu
The IAPC’s Central Council (CC) members recently visited the venue of the upcoming 32nd International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2025) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jammu, on Saturday, 19th October 2024. The visit aimed to discuss preparations and ensure a successful event.
The CC members, led by Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar (President, IAPC), and Dr Geeta Joshi (President Elect, IAPC), were welcomed by Dr. Rohit Lahori and Dr. Sunana Gupta (Organising Secretaries, IAPCON 2025), and their team members. The visiting team was briefed on the arrangements and infrastructure facilities available for the conference.
A review meeting to discuss the preparations and address any concerns was held. Dr. Bhatnagar expressed her gratitude to the team at Jammu for their tireless efforts and dedication towards making IAPCON 2025 a huge success.
The mid-term CC Meeting was held on the same day at Government Hospital, Gandhinagar, Jammu, between 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The meeting presided by Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar also included a presentation by Dr. Anjum Khan Joad (Chairperson, Scientific Committee, IAPCON 2024). Dr Joad then detailed the scientific sessions and the pre-conference workshop planned for IAPCON 2025. The CC congratulated Dr. Joad and her team for designing a brilliant scientific program for IAPCON 2025.
This was followed by the presentation of the IAPC’s activity report by Dr Savita Butola (Hon. Secretary, IAPC), the IAPC’s financial report by Dr Megha Pruthi (Treasurer, IAPC), and the IJPC’s report by Dr Raghavendra Ramanjulu (Editor, IJPC). The IAPC’s zonal members were then invited to present their Zonal activity reports.
The mid-term CC meeting concluded on Sunday, 20th October, 2024, with CC members agreeing to present subsequent updates in the IAPC’s upcoming Annual General Body Meeting, scheduled to be held during IAPCON 2025 on Saturday, 1st February, 2025.
The 32nd International Conference of the IAPC themed, ‘Evidence Based Palliative Care’ is scheduled to be held at AIIMS Jammu between Friday, 31st January, 2025, and Sunday, 2nd February, 2025. The Pre- conference workshops are scheduled to be held on Thursday, 30th January, 2024. Please visit the conference website for further details about IAPCON 2025.
IAPC pays heartfelt tribute to Dr. Robert Twycross: India’s ‘Teacher of Palliative Care’
Share your memories in the IAPC’s Dr Twycross Memorial Webpage
It is with profound sadness that the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) mourns the passing of Dr. Robert Twycross, a visionary pioneer in Palliative Care.
Through his tireless efforts and selfless dedication, Dr. Twycross significantly contributed to the development of India’s palliative care landscape. Dr. Twycross will forever be revered as the ‘Teacher of Palliative Care’ in India.
Dr. Robert Twycross was a distinguished member and valued colleague of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC), and we are forever grateful for his contributions.
We will deeply miss his wisdom, guidance, and warm presence.
Rest in peace, Dr. Twycross! Your impact on Palliative Care will never fade
In honor of Dr. Twycross’ remarkable legacy, IAPC dedicates a memorial webpage. We warmly invite you to share inspiring anecdotes, photographs and memories highlighting Dr. Twycross’ transformative impact.
Click here to submit your entries and share your tributes.
The IAPC’s special initiative ‘Compassionate Growth: A celebration of every step forward’ is now published
The IAPC celebrated this year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, with a special publication ‘Compassionate Growth: A celebration of every step forward’, a compilation of the unique and interesting pathways and journeys travelled over the years by institutions providing palliative care services across India.
The initiative aligns with this year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day’s theme, ‘Ten Years Since the Resolution: How are we doing?’, and seeks to highlight the remarkable milestones and compassionate care practices that have shaped India’s palliative care landscape.
The IAPC is privileged and proud to share this compilation which showcases the perseverance and commitment of our colleagues and the remarkable milestones which have been surpassed towards ensuring palliative care services are available and accessible for those in need of such services.
Please click here to explore the publication and get inspired by the positive and meaningful impact these institutions have made within the communities they serve.
We thank all our contributors for their enthusiastic participation towards this initiative.
Submit details of your ‘WHPCD celebrations’ in the IAPC’s National Portal
The IAPC invites palliative care institutions to share details from their World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) celebrations with the palliative care community, by way of publication in the IAPC’s website.
Congratulations to all those who celebrated WHPCD whether it was by way of organising academic activities, or via painting competitions, or conducting community engagement initiatives. The publication aims to present the palliative care community with a collection of celebrations from across the country / world, which are not only promising and encouraging, but also helps one to learn and grow from each other’s celebrations.
Please click here to share details of how you celebrated WHPCD at your institution.
Please click here to read the published submissions.
Get your free Digital Copy of the Global Handbook of Palliative Care!
The Global Handbook of Palliative Care, a valuable resource for frontline palliative care providers, is now available for free download! Edited by renowned experts Dr. Megan Doherty and Dr. Lana Ferguson, and published by Global Health Dynamics, this comprehensive handbook is a valuable resource for anyone working in palliative care.
Click here to download your digital copy today and start enhancing your palliative care skills and knowledge.
Tune in at 2:50 p.m. on 12th November, 2024, for a multilingual edition of ‘Singing for the Stars’
The IAPC and the Shankar Mahadevan Academy (SMA) Nirvana invite you to join us at 2:50 p.m. on Tuesday, 12th November, 2024, for a national multilingual edition of ‘Singing for the Stars’.
This edition of the program is dedicated to our friends from across the country.
The evening of harmonies will be presented by Ms Padmini Prabhu (Vocalist and a Performing Artist).
Don’t forget to join us at 2:50 p.m. on 12th November, 2024.
Update from the October event
The October edition of ‘Singing for the Stars’ was held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 8th October, 2024.
The absolutely soul enriching and melodious evening of harmonies was presented by Ms Himangi Vishwaroop (Vocalist, Song Composer, Music Educator and a Performing Artist), who presented a specially curated collection of Hindi songs to celebrate Navratri.
Team IAPC and Team SMA Nirvana take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to all those who joined us and for spreading smiles during the show.
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 are 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.
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:
- Please visit the IAPC’s National Palliative Care Directory and select the State from the drop down menu to check details of your center.
- 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.
- 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.