Awards and Recognitions
Dr Sushma Bhatnagar recognised as a luminary in pain science by the IASP on 7th August, 2024
We are elated to share that Dr Sushma Bhatnagar (President, IAPC; Chief, Dr BRA IRCH, AIIMS New Delhi) has been recognised as a luminary in pain science and presented with an honorary membership on Wednesday, 7th August, 2024, during the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) 2024 World Congress on Pain, held at Amsterdam, Netherlands.
This recognition was accorded to Dr Sushma along with 5 others from across the globe in acknowledgement of her outstanding contributions made in pain related fields to advance IASP’s mission.
On the occasion Dr Sushma shares, “I am overwhelmed and honoured to be recognised by the IASP as one of the 6 luminaries in pain science for 2024. This recognition is the result of excellent teamwork which I enjoy with my colleagues back home and from across the globe. I will now strive harder to pursue my work in education, service, and research, which will help alleviate the pain and discomfort of those suffering with serious health related illnesses.”
Congratulations Dr Sushma Bhatnagar! We wish you many such laurels.
Dr Harjot Singh bestowed with the ‘IMA Amritsar’s Annual Award for Leadership’ on 10th August, 2024
We are happy to share that the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Amritsar, presented their Annual Award for Leadership to Dr Harjot Singh (Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, SGRDUHS) at an event held on Saturday, 10th August, 2024, at Hotel LeMeridian, Amritsar, Punjab.
Dr Singh was presented the award by Dr Atul Kapoor (President, IMA Amritsar), Dr Jaspreet Grover (Secretary, IMA Amritsar) and Dr Karamjit Singh Gill (Head, Pathology, SGRDIMSAR) in recognition of his exceptional contributions and achievements of Medical Profession, particularly towards palliative care. The award also acknowledges the various activities conducted and led by Dr Singh towards generating awareness about Palliative care which includes conducting a CME in collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre, organising Punjab’s first Death Cafe in collaboration with the Institute of Palliative Medicine, WHOCC, and organising a Bereavement Companionship Programme in collaboration with the Death Literacy Institute Australia.
When we reached out to Dr Harjot Singh he shared, “The need of the hour is to follow a double pronged approach; generating awareness about the benefits of palliative care along with reaching out to those needing palliative care services within the community. My team and I are now going beyond the institutional boundaries to provide care for patients within the comfort of their own homes.”
Congratulations Dr Harjot Singh! We wish you continued success.
The Karnataka Press Club felicitates Dr Yaduraj MK with the ‘Vaidya Sevaa Ratna Award’ on 27th July, 2024
We are delighted to share that Dr Yaduraj MK (Associate Professor, Department of Palliative Medicine, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO), Bengaluru, Karnataka) was felicitated by the Karnataka Press Club with the ‘Vaidya Sevaa Ratna Award’ at an event held at Gynana Sabhangana on Saturday, 27th July, 2024.
Dr Yadhuraj received the award from Sri Dinesh Gundurao (Hon. Health Minister, Government of Karnataka) in the presence of Shri Siddaramaiah (Hon. Chief Minister of Karnataka). The award was presented to Dr Yadhuraj in recognition of his services in palliative care and for alleviating the suffering of those in need of such services.
An elated Dr Yadhuraj shares, “I am proud and also grateful for the opportunity to be able to practise palliative medicine. I thank the IAPC and KMIO for helping me train in palliative medicine. Receiving this award from the Karnataka Press Club is a recognition only for my work but also towards the growing visibility and importance accorded to palliative care. I along with my team are now further motivated to work harder and care for as many patients as possible from across the State.”
Congratulations Dr Yadhuraj! We wish you continued growth.
Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, inaugurates a ‘Department of Palliative Medicine’ on 4th August, 2024
We are excited to share that Ruby Hall Clinic inaugurated their Department of Palliative Medicine on Sunday, 4th August, 2024, at Sasoon Road, Pune, Maharashtra. Ruby Hall Clinic is the flagship multidisciplinary hospital of Grant Medical Foundation, Pune, which is a system of three hospitals with 850 beds and expanding.
The newly inaugurated Department will provide Out-Patient and In-Patient services for adult patients of both oncology and non-oncology who are in need of such services.
On the occasion, a CME was organised at Ruby Hall Clinic to generate awareness and further the interest regarding palliative medicine among participants and staff of the hospital. The CME included presentations on ‘The Why of Integrative Palliative Medicine as a Component of Acute Hospital Care – It’s Scope & Relevance’ by Dr Naveen Salins (Professor and Head, Department of Palliative Medicine, KMC, Manipal), ‘Myths and Models of Palliative Care Services’ by Dr Praneeth Suvvari (Consultant and Incharge, Department of Pain & Palliative Medicine, BIACH and RI, Hyderabad), and ‘Economics of Palliative Care Services’ by Dr Mahesh Menon (Consultant Pain and Palliative Care, KDA, Navi Mumbai).
The inauguration was attended by the Trustees, Critical Care Unit Heads, members of Ruby Hall Clinic’s management, Doctors from varied specialties, Clinical Assistants, the Nursing Director and staff, the Physiotherapist and the Pathologist from the clinic.
The team shares, “We were motivated to launch this initiative to ensure that we provide Integrated Palliative Medicine to our patients which helps us adhere to the Golden Circle Model which focuses on answering the Why (Value & relevance), How (Practices & components) and What (Scope & structure of Palliative care services) of palliative care. We also believe that together everyone achieves more, and this is our humble step towards alleviating the health related suffering of those in need of palliative care services.”
Those in need of these services are requested to connect with Dr Lata Patil (Consultant, Physician and Palliative Medicine Specialist) at the Ruby Hall Clinic, Sasoon Road, Pune, Maharashtra.
Congratulations Team Ruby Hall Clinic! We wish you the best in this endeavour.
AIIMS Jammu begins offering Palliative Care OP services from 12th August, 2024
It is heartwarming to share that Palliative Care services are now available on Out-Patient (OP) basis at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jammu, from Monday, 12th August, 2024.
Palliative OP services are currently offered on a referral basis to adult cancer patients who are in need of such services. These services are being provided by a team of doctors and nurses trained in palliative care. The services are offered between Monday and Friday (9 a.m. and 2 p.m.) at no cost (free-of-charge) to the patients.
Dr Sunana Gupta (Additional Professor, Anesthesiology, AIIMS Jammu; Physician, Palliative Care) shares, “The growing need for such services in the region and the vision of Dr Shakti Kumar Gupta (Executive Director and CEO, AIIMS Jammu) prompted the initiation of palliative care service provisioning at our institute. This initiative marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide comprehensive care to those in need of palliative care. We are grateful to Dr Sushma Bhatnagar (President, IAPC), our management, and to all the experts who have supported us to begin this initiative.”
Those interested to avail these services may connect with the team at +91 6280756036.
Congratulations Team AIIMS Jammu! We wish the project a fruitful journey!
Pain and Palliative Care OPD inaugurated at Military Hospital, Pangode, Kerala, on 13th August, 2024
We are thrilled to share that a dedicated Pain and Palliative Care Out Patient Department (OPD) was inaugurated at the Military Hospital (MH), Pangode, Kerala on Tuesday, 13th August, 2024. The OPD was inaugurated by Brigadier Salil M.P. (Station Commander, 91 Infantry Brigade) alongside Padma Shri Dr MR Rajagopal (Chairman Emeritus, Pallium India).
This initiative, a collaborative project between MH Trivandrum and Pallium India, aims to provide comprehensive and tailored pain and palliative care services to servicemen, veterans and their dependents, by addressing the complex needs and enhancing the comfort of the beneficiaries.
The newly inaugurated OPD which reflects a shared dedication to the well-being of our nation’s heroes, will be managed by a palliative care physician, a nurse, and a social welfare officer and begin offering services every Monday between 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. starting Monday, 19th August, 2024.
On the occasion, Brigadier Salil M.P. expressed his support for the project and highlighted it’s importance in ensuring that those who have dedicated their lives to serving the nation receive the compassionate and effective care they deserve. Col Sudheer Anayath (Commanding Officer, MH Trivandrum) highlighted this to be a pilot project and that if successful, these services would be extended to other centres under the SEMO cover.
Dr MR Rajagopal went on to praise the initiative as a crucial step towards expanding access to essential services by integrating palliative care into India’s healthcare system.
The inauguration was also attended by numerous senior officers and veterans, underscoring the community’s commitment to this important cause.
Congratulations Team Pallium India and Team MH Pangode! Thank you for all that you are doing.
SVYM and Sevakshetra Hospital collaborate to offer institutional palliative care services from 16th August, 2024
We are pleased to share that that Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), Mysore, Karnataka, and the Sevakshetra Hospital (Trust Hospital of Canara Bank Welfare Relief Trust), Bengaluru, Karnataka, have collaborated by inking a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday, 16th August, 2024, to offer institutional based palliative care services for those individuals and families suffering from life limiting illnesses.
The MoU was signed by Ms Savitha S (CEO, SVYM, Mysore) and Mr Ananda Murthy (Hon. Secretary, Sevakshetra Hospital, Bengaluru) at Sevakshetra Hospital, Bengaluru, in the presence Mr KSS Kamath (General Manager, Sevakshetra Hospital), Dr Ravichandran (Medical Director, Sevakshetra Hospital), Mr Tukaram Prabhu (Former Senior Executive, Canara Bank), Dr Kumar G S (Head, Health, SVYM), Dr Pushpaltha S (Secretary, SVYM) and families engaged by SVYM’s community based palliative care program.
The MoU will facilitate the provision of palliative care services at Sevakshetra Hospital via Out-patient services and In-patient services through the 5 beds allocated exclusively for patients with palliative care needs.
The Team from SVYM shares, “The Integration of palliative care into health care systems and building a healthcare force that is skilled to provide end of life care is crucial to better equip for the future. We hope that our collaboration with minded partners will facilitate us to reach more and more deserving families in Bengaluru and other parts of the state.”
Congratulations Team SVYM and Team Sevakshetra Hospital! We wish you a fruitful collaboration.