Awards and Recognitions
Dr Prabha S. Chandra Assumes Charge as Interim Director of NIMHANS, Bengaluru
Dr Prabha S. Chandra, a renowned psychiatrist and former Dean, has assumed charge as the Interim Director of the prestigious National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, with effect from 14 March 2026. A Senior Professor of Psychiatry and one of the senior-most faculty members at NIMHANS, she has previously served as Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the Institute.
Beyond psychiatry, Dr Chandra has made significant contributions to palliative care in India, particularly in the domains of education and research.
An internationally recognised psychiatrist, Dr Chandra is known for her pioneering work in women’s mental health, reproductive psychiatry, and research on issues such as intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and the neurobiology of postpartum psychosis. She has been the Principal Investigator for several national and international research projects and currently leads the Bangalore Child Health and Development Study, a landmark longitudinal cohort study focusing on maternal and child mental health.
She has also played a key role in establishing the NIMHANS Centre for Well Being, the institute’s urban community outreach initiative, contributing significantly to expanding access to mental health services.
A pioneer in palliative care, Dr Chandra continues to contribute as a National Faculty member of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC), further strengthening academic and educational initiatives in the field. Her contributions to IAPC and to palliative care, including her role as former Editor of the Indian Journal of Palliative Care, are widely acknowledged and highly regarded.
The Indian Association of Palliative Care congratulates Dr Prabha S. Chandra and wishes her the very best in this significant and prestigious role.
Dr Mujeeb Rahman and Dr Pankaj Singhai Receive International Recognition at AAHPM 2026, San Diego
Dr Mujeeb Rahman (Director, Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode) and Dr Pankaj Singhai (Professor and Head, Department of Palliative and Supportive Medicine, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and PG Institute, Indore) were awarded the International Physician Scholar Award and presented their work at the Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine 2026 (AAPHM 2026), held in San Diego from 4th to 7th March 2026.
DR Pankaj presented his work on Current Status of Palliative Care in India, at the AAPHM 2026.
Reflecting on this achievement, Dr Pankaj Singhai shared, “I am grateful to have attended AAHPM 2026. It was inspiring to engage with colleagues from around the world who are committed to advancing palliative care and improving quality of life for patients with serious illness. My sincere thanks to AAHPM for this recognition and support, and to my mentors and colleagues whose encouragement makes this work possible.”
Dr Mujeeb Rahman presented his work titled ‘Scaling Palliative Care Through Community – The Kerala Experience’ at the assembly, highlighting the strength of community-based models in advancing palliative care.
Sharing his reflections, Dr Mujeeb Rahman noted, “Some acknowledgments remind us that we were never alone on this journey. I am proud to have received the International Physician Scholarship at AAHPM. Sharing Kerala’s story with colleagues from around the world was a truly special moment. This recognition belongs to the countless individuals and institutions that have shaped this journey—especially the Institute of Palliative Medicine, Kozhikode, the Global Palliative Doctors Network (GPDN), and my regional palliative clinic in Valancheri.”
The Indian Association of Palliative Care extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dr Mujeeb Rahman and Dr Pankaj Singhai on this well-deserved international recognition.
Dharamshila Rahat Medical Centre, Delhi Launches Free Palliative Care IPD Beds
Dharamshila Rahat Medical Centre has initiated free palliative care inpatient (IPD) beds to support patients with serious and life-limiting illnesses, reinforcing its commitment to compassionate, equitable, and patient-centred care.
This initiative aims to ensure that vulnerable patients have access to holistic and dignified palliative care services, including effective symptom management and emotional support, irrespective of financial constraints.
The programme is being strengthened under the dedicated efforts of Dr Amit Jain (Head, Pain and Palliative Care Department), with mentorship from Dr S Khanna, whose continued commitment to patient-centred care has been instrumental in advancing this initiative.
Reflecting on this initiative, Dr Amit Jain shared, “This initiative is guided by the belief that relief from pain and suffering is a fundamental human right, and that no individual should be denied comfort, symptom management, or emotional support due to financial constraints. Through this step, we reaffirm our promise: compassionate care for all, without barriers.”
The IAPC extends its heartfelt congratulations to Dharamshila Rahat Medical Centre and the team for this meaningful initiative and their continued efforts to expand access to quality palliative care.
Adult and Paediatric Palliative Care Centres, Tirupati: A Collaborative Initiative
Adult and Paediatric Palliative Care Centres have been established through a collaborative initiative between Sri Venkateshwara Medical College, Tirupati, and the Rotary Club of Tirupati, under the able leadership of Dr Chandrasekhar, Dr Bharathi, and Dr Roja Ramani.
Both centres are equipped with 10-bed facilities, along with the necessary infrastructure to function as comprehensive, full-fledged palliative care units.
The fully functional adult centre has already commenced services, including outpatient, inpatient, and home care, with an average of 20 patient admissions per month.
The paediatric centre is scheduled for formal inauguration in May 2026.
Congratulations on establishing these important services in Tirupati!