Ms Savitha S. becomes the first female CEO of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement, since its inception 39 years ago

It is once again promising to note that women are indeed breaking the glass barriers and making their mark in leadership positions in centers across the country.

We are pleased to share that Ms Savitha S has taken over the reins at the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), Mysuru, by becoming their first female Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from Saturday, 1st April, 2023. SVYM is a nationally acclaimed development organisation striving to build an equitable and just society for nearly four decades. The organisation works from grassroot to policy level to ensure that palliative care is accessible to all by serving those in need in many districts of Karnataka.

Ms Savitha began her association with SVYM almost a decade ago and has held key positions in the organisation. She brings in enormous passion, clarity and the highest levels of value and integrity.

Her expertise in the social sector finance system has been instrumental in bringing transparency in accounting and monitoring systems.

A very motivated Ms Savitha shares, “I am honored to take over as the CEO of SVYM. As Swami Vivekananda said, each one of us have an infinite potential. I too believe that my new role will help expand my potential as a leader and take SVYM to the next level in its journey of building a resurgent India, by developing the Human and Social Capital of this country.”

Congratulations Ms Savitha! We wish you further laurels!


Ms Stella Jacqueline Matthew awarded the ‘Muthu Pen Award 2023’ on 2nd April, 2023

It is with pleasure we share that Ms Stella Jacqueline Matthew (Managing Trustee, Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation) has been recognized with the ‘Muthu Pen Award 2023’. The Award has been presented by RMD Groups of Hospitals and Aura Holistic Wellness Center.

Ms Ramalakshmi (Head, Administration and Projects Golden Butterflies Children’s Palliative Care Foundation) received the award on behalf of Ms Mathew on Sunday, 2nd April, 2023, at a ceremony held at the Tamil Virtual Academy, Anna University Campus, Chennai.

The awards recognises her dedicated and compassionate service in the field of palliative care.

An elated Ms Mathew shares, ‘This Award is dedicated to all our Staff and WINGS who have shown dedication to work in Paediatric Palliative Care. The Award reinforces our commitment to further enhance the scope and reach of the objectives of Golden Butterflies’.

40 other women from different walks of life were also facilitated on the occasion.

Congratulations, Ms Stella Jacqueline Matthew! We wish you continued growth.


North Karnataka gets its first hospice ‘Ramila Prashanti Mandir’ at Hubballi, on 6th April, 2023

We are excited to share that the ‘Ramila Prashanti Mandir’, North Karnataka’s first hospice, was inaugurated at a grand inauguration ceremony held at Hubballi, on Thursday, 6th April, 2023.

The hospice is established by the Majethia Foundation in association with Karnataka Cancer Therapy and Research Institute (KCTRI), Navanagar, Hubballi, and is modelled on Bangalore Hospice Trust – Karunashraya.

The newly inaugurated 30-bed hospice, will house a male ward (10 beds), a female ward (10 beds) and a special ward (10 beds). Those patients admitted at the male and female ward will receive all services including food and accommodation free of charge, while those admitted in the special wards will be charged a nominal fee.

Additionally, the hospice will also house a hall which can be utilised by the patients, their caregivers and staff for meditation, counselling, providing motivational talks and spiritual sessions, and to conduct entertainment activities. A fully equipped hygienic kitchen, a play area for indoor games and a lawn for sun bathing and relaxation has also been included in the hospice.

The much needed hospice was inaugurated in the presence of Sri Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swami of Gavi Mutt, Koppal, Mr Jitendra Majethia (Chairman for both Ramila Prashanti Mandir, and Majethia Foundation), Dr K Ramesh Babu (Managing Trustee, Ramila Prashanti Mandir), Mr  Amaresh Hipparagi (Secretary, Ramila Prashanti Mandir), Mr Ajit Kulkarni (CEO, Ramila Prashanti Mandir), Mr Gurmeet Singh Randhawa (Managing Trustee, Karunashraya, Bengaluru), Dr Ramalingappa Antaratani (Director, KIMS), Dr B R Patil (Chairman, KCTRI), Mr Mathew Chandy (CEO, Karunashraya, Bengaluru), and Dr V.B. Nitali (Member, Managing Committee, Ramila Prashanti Mandir).

Congratulations Team Ramila Prashanti Mandir! We wish you the best in your future endeavours.


MPMMMCC Varanasi relaunches free home care services from 13th April, 2023

Palliative patients in Varanasi have reason to breathe a sigh of relief as the Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine at the Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Centre (MPMMMCC) Varanasi, has reinitiated the provisioning of free home care services from Thursday, 13th April, 2023.

The services were relaunched with the home care vehicles being flagged off by Mr Madho Singh (Director Administrative, MPMMMCC, Varanasi). The services will be delivered by a home care team consisting of a Doctor (Dr Pallavi / Dr Shivam Singh / Dr Sukriti), a Nurse (Sr Jomia / Br Hansraj), a clinical Psychologist (Ms Saumya Jaiswal), a social worker (Mr Prashant Rai) and a driver. The team will render these services under the able guidance of Dr Somnath Dey (Officer in charge, Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, MPMMMCC, Varanasi) and Dr Kunal Ranjan Vinayak (Assistant Professor, Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, MPMMMCC, Varanasi).

These services will be provisioned free of charge, every Monday, to those patients with advanced cancer, to those in end-of-life care, and for bereaved families, situated in Varanasi and the suburbs within a 30 kms. radius around the MPMMMCC hospital.

These services which were initially provisioned in October 2019, came to halt in March 2020 due to Covid 19. During this period, services were provided via teleconsultation, which continues till date on a bi weekly basis (Tuesday and Thursday). Both services (Home care and Teleconsultation) will continue henceforth in parallel.

Congratulations and best wishes to Team MPMMMCC for their perseverance and efforts!


The Palliative Care Society Imphal celebrated its 8th anniversary on 16th April, 2023

We are delighted to share that the Palliative Care Society Imphal (PCSI) completed its 8 years of service in Manipur, on Sunday, 16th April, 2023.

The anniversary was marked with an ‘Awareness program on Palliative Care’ organised jointly by the  Philanthropic Dhanamanjurians 1976 (PHIDAM) and the Senior Citizens’ and Intellectuals’ Association, Nambol, Manipur, at the Lainingthou Hospital Extension, Utlou Awang Leikai.

Dr S Jugindra Singh (Vice President, PCSI) graced the occasion as Chief Guest and addressed the gathering in manipuri. His session was attended by approx. 60 local experts and healthcare professionals across specialities from various hospitals. Dr Singh has been instrumental in training most Medical Professionals in Manipur in provisioning community and home based palliative care. 

The day was also commemorated by organising home visits by the PCSI’s office bearers, Dr N Subodha (Secretary, PCSI), Dr Nandan Choudhary (Joint Secretary, PCSI), Mr Roger (Office Secretary, PCSI) Mr Sanatombi (Executive Member, PCSI), Dr Nganba and Mr N Nganthoi (PCSI Members), and by distributing mementos to patients.

Palliative care services are currently available in 13 hospitals across the State and morphine is now available in over 5 of these centers.

Congratulations Team PCSI! We wish you continued success.


RIMS Ranchi, Jharkhand, establishes a Palliative Care Unit on 19th April, 2023

We are pleased to share that the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Ranchi, Jharkhand, established a palliative care unit on Wednesday, 19th April, 2023.

The newly formed unit will provide palliative care services to both oncology and non-oncology patients and their caregivers via an Out-patient and In-patient service as 6 beds have been dedicated for palliative care.

The formal inauguration ceremony began with Dr Ladhu Lakra (HoD, Department of Anesthesia, RIMS, Ranchi) welcoming the audience. The ceremonial lighting of the lamp followed. Dr Wasimul Hoda (Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesia, RIMS, Ranchi) then delivered a short lecture on the ‘Introduction and Need for Palliative Care in the State’ followed by the screening of a short video clip on palliative care. Dr Dipali Singh (Additional Professor, Department of Anesthesia, RIMS, Ranchi) next introduced the Palliative Care Team to the audience. Dr Anil Kumar (Acting Director and Dean Academics, RIMS, Ranchi) graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

The ceremony was also attended by Dr Shailesh Tripathi (Deputy Medical Superintendent, RIMS, Ranchi) along with HoDs and Faculty from Department of Neuro Surgery, Radiation Therapy, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, along with Nurses and Residents from various departments in the hospital.

Palliative care services were available via the Department of Anesthesia before this.

Congratulations Team RIMS Ranchi! We wish you the best.


Dr S N Medical College, Jodhpur, inaugurates a Palliative Care OPD on 23rd April, 2023

The Department of Anesthesia, MDM Hospital, Dr S N Medical College, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, inaugurated a palliative care Out-patient department (OPD), on Sunday, 23rd April, 2023.

This new OPD was inaugurated jointly by Dr Dilip Kachawah (Principal, Dr SN Medical College, Jodhpur) and Dr Vikas Rajpurohit (Medical Superintendent, MDM Hospital, Jodhpur). Efforts to set up the OPD were initiated by Dr Geeta Singariya (Senior Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Dr S N Medical College, Jodhpur) and Dr Chanda Khatri (Associate Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, Dr S N Medical College, Jodhpur) and their team. Palliative care services before this was provided by the Department of Anesthesia.

On this occasion, a one-day palliative care workshop. ‘Introduction to palliative care’ was conducted jointly by SN Medical College, Jodhpur and AIIMS, Jodhpur, at the Seminar Hall, MDM Hospital, Jodhpur. The session aimed to sensitise participants in the basics of palliative care and included sessions on introduction to the concepts of palliative care, pain management, end of life care etc. An approx 75 Doctors and Nurses from both AIIMS, Jodhpur, and Dr SN Medical College, Jodhpur, were sensitised via this program.

Services in this department will be offered twice weekly (every Monday and Friday), and will be led by a Doctor-Nurse pair. 

Congratulations Team SN Medical College! We wish you success. 


KeSVF in collaboration with CCH begins free home based palliative care service provisioning in rural Maharashtra from March 2023

It is so heart moving to share that those in need of palliative care services in a remote region, the Akkalkuwa block, Nandurbar district, Maharashtra, will now have access to free home palliative care services due to the collaboration between the Karuna Evam Shanti Vahini Foundation (KeSVF) and the Chinchpada Christian Hospital (CCH).

This free home based service will cater to the needs of both cancer and non-cancer patients in the Akkalkuwa block. Services in this region will be provisioned on a weekly basis by an outreach team represented by one nurse and two social workers (also from the community they serve) who will be mentored and supported by the team from CCH. Additionally, a Mobile van with a medical team (Doctors) from CCH will render care to these patients once a month. Telemedicine services from CCH will continue to render care for these patients in the interim. 

On this occasion, Ms Sonalini Mirchandani (Director, KeSVF) shares “In the months ahead, we hope to be able to demonstrate kind, competent, and compassionate home-based care even in the most challenging of circumstances. We’re privileged to have role models such as Pallium India, mentors and technical support from CCH and its remarkable team, and support from visionary donors such as the Mariwala Health Initiative. Above all, we’re blessed with an incredible community-based team, who demonstrate grace, compassion and courage under the most trying circumstances”.

Akkalkuwa is a remote block in Nandurbar district characterised with hilly terrains, forest cover, poor connectivity, extreme poverty, marginalisation and scattered habitation. The Adivasi dominated block ranks low on health and development indicators.

Please connect with Ms Sameer Vasave (Social worker at Singpur) at +91 93702 55651, in case you need to make a referral. 

Congratulations Team KeSVF and Team CCH on this wonderful collaboration! We wish you success at every step of your journey.