Awards and Recognitions
CanSupport in collaboration with IGMCH and support from Cipla Foundation begin home-based palliative care services in Shimla
We are pleased to share that on Wednesday, 1st January, 2025, Shri Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (Hon. Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh) in the presence of other eminent guests flagged off home-based palliative care services in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh offered by CanSupport in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH) and supported by Cipla Foundation.
The free home care services will be provided by a team of doctors, nurses, counsellors and a public relations officer to those patients of cancer and non-cancer, who are receiving care with the Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, IGMCH, and who live in a 40 kms radius around IGMCH. Services to these patients and their caregivers will be provided between Monday and Friday (9 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.).
The team shares, “We are privileged to be able to serve patients in Shimla through this initiative. In addition to the home visits, the home care teams will provide medicines and dressing kits to those in need at no cost to the patients. With this initiative we strive to ensure continuity of care for our patients who find it challenging to visit the hospital by bringing compassionate care to their very own doorstep.”
Those who are in need of such services are requested to reach out to the team at: 8448191580.
Congratulations to all involved! Wishing you success.
State Cancer Institute, Guwahati, inaugurated a Pain and Palliative Medicine OPD Unit on 6th January, 2025
We are delighted to share that the State Cancer Institute (SCI), Guwahati, Assam, inaugurated a pain and palliative medicine Out Patient Department (OPD) Unit on Monday, 6th January, 2025.
The newly inaugurated OPD Unit will provide care for both cancer and non-cancer adult patients. With the inauguration of the new OPD Unit, the center has increased its capacity to now include 16 In-patient beds, 4 beds in the OPD for palliative procedure under USG, and a well equipped Operation Theater with C Arm facilities.
The OPD will function between Monday to Saturday (9 a.m. and 4 p.m.) and will be managed by Dr Arun Deka (Head, Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, SCI) and his team of Doctors, Nurses and supporting Staff.
When we reached out to Dr Deka, he shares, “We noticed that over 60% of the patients visiting the hospital were in need of palliative care services. This prompted us to scale up the OPD services so that patients can be treated without having to get admitted at the center. We are grateful to Major General (Dr) J P Prasad (Chief Operating Officer, Assam Cancer Care Foundation), without whose support this expansion would not have been possible.”
For those who wish to utilise the services at the center, please reach out to the team at: 18003454325.
Congratulations Dr Arun Deka and Team! We wish you continued growth.
An ‘Integrated Cancer Care Clinic’ inaugurated at MVR Cancer Center and Research Institute, Kozhikode, on 15th January, 2025
We are excited to share that the Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine at MVR Cancer Center and Research Institute (MVRCCRI) at Kozhikode, Kerala, inaugurated their ‘Integrated Cancer Care Clinic’ within the Day Care Chemotherapy Unit, a first-of-its-kind facility in Kerala, on Wednesday, 15th January, 2025.
The pioneering clinic was inaugurated by Dr Narayanankutty Warrier (Medical Director, MVRCCRI) in the presence of Dr N K Mohammed Basheer (CEO and Secretary, MVRCCRI), Mr A J Babu (Director, Care Foundation), Dr Sajeevan K V (Senior Consultant and HOD, Medical Oncology, MVCCRI), Dr Vineetha Rijju (Consultant, Pain and Palliative Medicine, MVCCRI) and Dr Shahira K T (Physician, Pain and Palliative Medicine, MVCCRI).
The pioneering clinic was set up after a pilot study at the day care chemotherapy unit assessed and discovered a huge unmet symptom burden among patients undergoing routine chemotherapy at the hospital. The newly set up clinic is therefore designed to integrate early palliative care for cancer patients undergoing treatment, to ensure that they have a comfortable, smooth, and holistic journey throughout their care.
On behalf of the team, Dr Rijju shares, “Through this clinic we aim to support patients with pain management, symptom control, and offer emotional well-being from the moment they begin their cancer treatment. Addressing such symptoms in the early days of the treatment journey, helps patients cope better with both the disease and the treatment process hence enhancing their quality of life. This is indeed an evidence based new benchmark in cancer care to grow acceptance towards Palliative care and to break the myth that Palliative care is needed only at end of life”.
Congratulations Team MVCCRI! We wish you the best.
Bagchi Karunashraya Palliative Care Centre, Bhubaneswar, inaugurated on 21st January, 2025
We are thrilled to share that the Bagchi Karunashraya Palliative Care Centre (BKPCC) was inaugurated on Tuesday, 21st January, 2025, at Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The 110-bed facility was inaugurated by Shri Mohan Charan Majhi (Hon. Chief Minister, Odisha) and Shri Dharmendra Pradhan (Hon. Union Minister of Education, Government of India), in the midst of Shri Dr Mukesh Mahalinga (Hon. Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Odisha), MLA Shri Babu Singh, MLA Shri Akash Dasnayak, Shri Manoj Ahuja (Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha), Shri Anu Garg (Development Commissioner, Government of Odisha) and several other eminent personalities.
While the Government of Odisha provided the 20 acre land free of cost and other support for the center at subsidised cost, Bangalore Hospice Trust – Karunashraya (BHT-K) brought in the technical expertise and will operate the center. The 130 crore donation from Mrs Sushmita Bagchi and Mr Subroto Bagchi brought the project to life.
The Bagchi-Karunashraya Palliative Care Center will resonate the same mandate as of its parent body, Karunashraya at Bengaluru, to alleviate the pain and suffering of terminally ill cancer patients by providing them the best possible quality of life. The newly inaugurated center will therefore cater to the needs of advanced stage cancer patients, at no cost to patients and their families. Over time the center will also expand into palliative care education and research.
On this momentous occasion, Mr Gurmeet Singh Randhawa (Managing Trustee, BKPCC and BHT-K) shares, “We, at Bangalore Hospice Trust, are extremely grateful to the Bagchis and the Government of Odisha who have given us this opportunity to serve the advance stage and terminal cancer patients in Odisha. Our research and education endeavour will help capacity building in palliative care in Odisha and beyond.”
To avail services at the new center, please reach out to the team at: 0674-6829100.
Congratulations Team BKPCC! Wish you the best in your endeavour.