Education and Training
Applications invited for the ‘IAPC’s Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers’
Applications are invited for the 10th online batch of the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers’.
Individuals who can commit, who have the time, and are willing to offer their services in palliative care facilities are invited to register for the course which aims to equip and empower ‘compassionate volunteers’ with relevant knowledge and interpersonal skills needed to volunteer in palliative care settings. The course will therefore place strong emphasis on communication skills, counselling skills, and the various psycho-social issues and its management, which a volunteer might potentially be faced with.
The course will be delivered in two components: a 16-hour virtual and theoretical ‘Part A’ component, and a 16 hour in-person practical ‘Part B’ component. Only those candidates successfully completing both components of the program will be eligible to receive the course completion certificate.
The 16-hour ‘Part A’ component of the course will be delivered over 8 days (2 hours each with Sunday Holiday) in May 2026. The course dates for this component of the course are 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th May, 2026.
Please click here for further details and to register for the course.
Advance Your Nursing Practice in Palliative Care – Course Starting on 16th June, 2026
The Academy of Palliative Medicine (APM) invites passionate nurses to join the Advanced Nursing Skills in Palliative Care course starting 16th June, 2026.
This carefully curated 6-month online program offers:
- Build strong clinical expertise with real-world relevance
- Develop compassionate, patient-centred communication skills
- Learn holistic care approaches for patients and families
- Gain insights from experienced faculty and field experts
- Benefit from dedicated mentorship in small learning groups
This is for you if you’re a nurse who wants to:
- Lead with confidence in complex care settings
- Communicate with clarity, empathy, and grace
- Make a lasting difference in the moments that matter most
Live Zoom sessions: Every 2 weeks (Tuesdays): Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Register / Enquire now: 7012637910 / office@apmindia.org
Please scan the QR code to complete your course registration.
Empowering Nursing Educators: IAPC Launches First Faculty Training at AIIMS Bhubaneswar
The first Certificate Course in Palliative Care for Nursing Faculty, organised by the Indian Association of Palliative Care, was successfully conducted at the College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The three-day course commenced on 16th March, 2026 and concluded on 18th March, 2026.
This programme is designed to equip nursing faculty across India with the knowledge and skills required to effectively deliver the palliative care module in the undergraduate nursing curriculum.
The workshop was inaugurated with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony led by distinguished dignitaries from AIIMS Bhubaneswar and IAPC, including Dr Ashutosh Biswas (Executive Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar), Dr Prasanta R Mohapatra (Dean Academics), Dr Prabhas Ranjan Tripathy (Medical Superintendent), Dr Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC), and Dr Asha P. Shetty (Professor-cum-Principal, College of Nursing).
The course brought together 45 participants, including nursing educators and postgraduate students for an engaging, practice-oriented learning experience, with a focus on strengthening palliative care education.
The sessions were delivered by the IAPC Nursing Faculty under the guidance of Dr Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC) and Dr Asha P. Shetty (Principal, College of Nursing, AIIMS Bhubaneswar and IAPC Executive Committee Member).
The academic sessions commenced at 9:20 a.m. with an engaging ice-breaking session conducted by Dr Geeta Joshi and Ms Meheli Chakraborty, setting an interactive and enthusiastic tone for the programme.
A pre-test conducted prior to the scientific sessions revealed an average score of 8.9 out of 20, indicating significant scope for learning. The three-day programme featured a series of comprehensive and interactive sessions led by Dr Geeta Joshi, Mr Terrymize Immanuel, Dr A. Latha, Dr Asha P. Shetty and Ms Meheli Chakraborty. Key topics included the principles and significance of palliative care, pain assessment and management, communication skills, opioid use, symptom management, emergencies in palliative care, wound care, end-of-life care, and home-based care.
The sessions were highly interactive and practice-oriented, with the role-play on the SPIKES protocol emerging as a major highlight, offering participants valuable insights into real-life communication scenarios. Hands-on topics such as colostomy care, ascitic tapping, and lymphoedema management further enriched the learning experience. A post-test conducted at the end of the programme showed a marked improvement, with average scores rising to 16.3 out of 20, reflecting the effectiveness and impact of the training.
As part of the workshop, participants visited the Bagchi Karunashraya Palliative Care Centre on Day 2. This visit offered a valuable experiential learning opportunity, especially for those new to palliative care, and was widely regarded as one of the most impactful components of the programme.
During the valedictory session, resource persons were felicitated in recognition of their valuable contributions. Certificates were distributed to all participants, marking the successful completion of the workshop.
3 INC credit points will be awarded to participants who have successfully completed the training.
Feedback from participants
Participants shared positive feedback, highlighting the role play sessions and the centre visit as particularly beneficial in understanding core concepts of palliative care.
Excerpts from feedback:
“The course delivery was so impressive that resource persons made it so simple to make the participants understand the concepts.”
“The visit to the Hospice centre was complimenting the concepts studied, and it was a memorable visit”
In her concluding remarks, Dr Asha P. Shetty appreciated the efforts of the organising team in successfully conducting the three-day workshop. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr L Anand (Convenor, organising committee).
The organising committee comprised Dr Ashutosh Biswas as Chief Patron, Dr Asha P. Shetty as Chairperson, Dr L Anand as Convenor, and Dr Gomathi B as Co-Convenor.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in building capacity among nursing faculty and strengthening the integration of palliative care into nursing education across India.
30 Nurse Faculty Participating in the IAPC’s Certificate Course in Palliative Care for Nursing Faculty (Online) from 23rd March, 2026
Thirty nurse faculty from various nursing colleges across India have joined the first online batch of the ‘Certificate Course in Palliative Care for Nursing Faculty’, conducted by the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC). Launched on 23rd March 2026, this programme is the online version of the Nursing Faculty Training designed and delivered by IAPC, aimed at equipping nursing educators with the knowledge and skills required to effectively teach the palliative care module in the undergraduate nursing curriculum.
The training is being conducted over 10 days, beginning 23rd March, 2026, with daily sessions of two hours each (Sunday being a holiday).
The sessions for this online training are being delivered by an experienced national faculty team comprising Dr Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC), Mr Terrymize I, Dr Latha Srikanth, Ms Meheli Chakraborty, Dr Asha Shetty, Ms Sangeetha N, Ms Honey Mathew, Dr Malarvizhi K Natarajan, Ms Anna Rao, Mr Sudip Rudrapaul, Mrs Sheeba R L, Mr Sachin Dwivedi, and Ms Savita Luka. Participants who successfully complete the training will be awarded 3 credit points by the Indian Nursing Council.
As the programme progresses, participants have shared positive feedback, highlighting how the training has enhanced their understanding of palliative care and empowered them to effectively deliver the newly incorporated palliative care module within the nursing curriculum. They also emphasised the importance of such training for all nursing faculty.
The programme will conclude on 2nd April 2026, marking the completion of the first online batch.
The ‘Part A’ component of the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in Palliative Care Pharmacy’ was held successfully on 28th March 2026
22 enthusiastic individuals from across the country participated in the ‘Part A’ component of the 9th online batch of the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in Palliative Care Pharmacy’, on Saturday, 29th March, 2026.
Post participation in the ‘Part A’ component of the course, participants will be empowered with adequate knowledge of commonly used drugs in Palliative Care for pain management and other symptoms. They were equipped with relevant knowledge regarding Essential Narcotic Drugs and Narcotic Drugs along with insights into the technical legalities and the documentation involved in procuring, storing, dispensing and documenting the same.
They will now proceed towards the 3-hour in-person ‘Part B’ training component of the course.
The IAPC thanks Ms. Saroja Gangaiah (Course Chair) and each of our faculty for their support towards this program. We also thank the course participants for their active participation during the course.
Workshop on Enabling Awareness and Access to Palliative Care in Sri Sathya Sai District
A workshop on “Enabling Awareness and Access to Palliative Care in the Sri Sathya Sai District with a Two Million Population” was successfully conducted on 1st March, 2026 at the Sri Sathya Sai Palliative Care and Cancer Centre (SSSPCC). The programme was jointly organised by the Indian Association of Palliative Care IAPC) and SSSPCC, bringing together nearly 100 participants, including doctors, public health professionals, ASHA workers, and volunteers.
The workshop commenced with a keynote address by Dr Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC), who provided a comprehensive overview of palliative care. She emphasised its holistic philosophy of care, the importance of early integration from diagnosis, and its relevance for both cancer and non-cancer conditions. She also highlighted the significant unmet need for palliative care in India and shared insights from her work in Ahmedabad.
This was followed by panel discussions Chaired by Dr. Gayatri Palat (Professor and HoD of Palliative Medicines, MNJIO & RCC, Hyderabad), Dr. BV Manjula (Secretary, Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society, Hyderabad), and Dr. Madhuri Jagdeesh (Head, Physiotherapy Department, SSSPCC). The workshop had the attendance of Doctors from the Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital and Super Speciality Hospitals at Puttaparthi, Public Health staff including Medical Officers and ASHA Workers from nearby PHCs and Staff and Volunteers from SSSPCC.
The opening session featured Mr Gunaranjan, who presented the inspiring growth journey of the centre—from its inception as a palliative care unit in July 2022 to its evolution into a comprehensive cancer and palliative care centre by February 2026. He shared key milestones, including the registration of over 1,300 patients and the successful implementation of cancer screening programmes for women, supported by a visiting team from Ramaiah Hospital. Plans for an integrated facility offering multidisciplinary services were also outlined.
Scientific sessions included case-based presentations by Dr Sai Subhash, who demonstrated the impact of palliative care in managing complex cancer and non-cancer conditions. This session was chaired by Dr B V Manjula.
Nurses Ms Shilpa and Ms Nandini from SSSPCC further enriched the programme with case discussions highlighting palliative care delivery across home and hospital settings. Their presentations underscored effective symptom management, pain relief, wound care, family counselling, respect for patient preferences at end-of-life, and bereavement support. This session was chaired by Dr Gayatri Palat.
An engaging panel discussion on “Access to Palliative Care” followed, chaired by Dr Madhuri Jagdeesh. The discussion brought together experts from IAPC, SSSPCC, MNJ Cancer Hospital, and the Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society, focusing on practical strategies to enhance access and quality of palliative care services in large districts like Sri Sathya Sai.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Sathya Sai Shree Lakshmi, who also served as the host for the event.
This workshop marked an important step towards strengthening awareness, collaboration, and service delivery in palliative care within the region, reinforcing the collective commitment to improving quality of life for patients and their families.
New Delhi International Death Doula Workshop
The New Delhi International Death Doula One-Day Workshop was conducted on 1st March 2026, bringing together healthcare professionals and individuals interested in enhancing compassionate care at the end of life. The workshop was organised by the Indian Death Doula Foundation.
The programme focused on understanding death as a natural and significant life event, and on strengthening the role of trained individuals in providing emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual support to patients and families. Participants included palliative care physicians and other professionals who were keen to expand their understanding beyond clinical care.
Under the guidance of Dr. Abhijit Dam, a pioneer in palliative care and the architect of the Farishtey curriculum, participants journeyed through the subtle layers of human existence. Dr Dam emphasised the importance of presence, attentive listening, and non-judgmental support in end-of-life care. He highlighted that the role of a death doula is centred on “being with” the person, rather than intervening, thereby complementing existing palliative care practices.
The workshop covered key areas including understanding the dying process, principles of holding space, and the role of doulas in supporting patients and families. Sessions on grief and bereavement addressed different types of grief, the importance of acknowledging loss, and approaches to supporting healthy grieving.
Participants were also introduced to concepts related to self-awareness and caregiver well-being, including recognising burnout and practising emotional self-care. These aspects were emphasised as essential for sustaining compassionate care.
In addition, the workshop explored perspectives on death and dying across different cultures and faiths, highlighting the importance of providing culturally sensitive and respectful care aligned with individual beliefs and values.
The workshop concluded with active participant engagement and reflections, with attendees expressing appreciation for the opportunity to explore the human aspects of end-of-life care in greater depth.
This workshop represents a meaningful step towards strengthening holistic and compassionate approaches to end-of-life care in India.
Amrit Dhara Hosts ‘Care Beyond Cure’ – A Dinner Dialogue on Palliative Care
Amrit Dhara Palliative Care Trust organized a programme titled “Care Beyond Cure – A Dinner Dialogue on Palliative Care” on 16th March 2026 at Bhubaneswar Club, Bhubaneswar.
The programme was graced by Dr. Geeta Joshi (President, Indian Association of Palliative Care), as the Chief Speaker. She highlighted the importance of palliative care and the growing need to integrate it into healthcare systems.
Dr. Joshi also visited the two palliative care centres of Amrit Dhara, where she interacted with the care team, gained insights into their work, and appreciated the ongoing efforts of the organisation. Dr Mami Parija (Founder and President of Amrit Dhara Palliative Care Trust), accompanied Dr Geeta Joshi during her visit to the centres.
Dr Geeta Joshi delivers lecture on “Palliative Care: From Pain Relief to Palliation” at AHPGIC, Cuttack
An enlightening academic session on “Palliative Care: From Pain Relief to Palliation” was organised for the nursing community of Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer and S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital on 18th March 2026 at AHPGIC, Cuttack. The academic lecture was delivered by Dr Geeta Joshi (President, Indian Association of Palliative Care)
The highly interactive lecture was attended by 120 participants, including nursing faculty and students. The session saw active engagement from participants, with faculty members sharing their clinical experiences and perspectives from practice.
During her visit, Dr Joshi also participated in ward rounds with the palliative care team at AHPGIC and visited the outpatient department. She addressed practical challenges faced in day-to-day patient care and provided valuable guidance on integrating palliative care principles into routine oncology nursing practice.
Dr Joshi also met with the Director of AHPGIC, Dr (Gp.Capt.) Deepak Routray , and held a detailed discussion highlighting the importance of establishing a dedicated Department of Palliative Medicine to further strengthen patient care services.
Demystifying Research: Workshop at IPM Kozhikode
A three-day workshop on research skills was recently conducted at the Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), Kozhikode, with a focus on promoting community participation in research. The workshop, conducted on 17th, 18th and 19th February 2026, was facilitated by Dr Jairam K Ramakrishnan (Public Health Consultant, IPM, Kozhikode) and was attended by community members from diverse backgrounds, including school teachers, homemakers, retired professionals, students, social workers, and volunteers.
The workshop was built on the premise that research is not limited to academic institutions but can be meaningfully undertaken by community members with appropriate guidance. Through simple and accessible sessions, participants were introduced to the fundamentals of research, including research philosophy, basic methodology, and ethical considerations.
Over the three days, the sessions focused on breaking down research concepts into practical and manageable steps. Participants worked in groups to identify relevant community-based research questions and began developing feasible and locally applicable project ideas.
The workshop underscored the importance of demystifying research and enabling communities to actively participate in knowledge generation.
“Reflecting on the workshop, the organisers noted, “Community-led palliative care has already transformed how we think about service delivery. Could community-led research transform how we think about knowledge itself? The workshop may have lasted three days, but its real work has just begun.” They described the initiative as a gentle provocation—highlighting that if research is intended to generate knowledge that improves human lives, excluding communities from the process is not only inefficient, but also inequitable.
SOUL Palliative Care and Saveetha College of Nursing Conduct Two-Day Palliative Care Nursing Training Programme in Chennai
SOUL Palliative Care, Chennai, a dedicated organisation committed to providing compassionate, community-based palliative care and promoting awareness and education in the field, successfully organised a two-day Palliative Care Nursing Training Program in collaboration with Saveetha College of Nursing, Chennai. The training programme, aimed at strengthening nurses’ knowledge, clinical skills, and compassionate approach in delivering holistic palliative care, was conducted on 27th and 28th March 2026.
The programme was inaugurated by Ms Preetha Mahesh (Founder and Managing Trustee, SOUL Palliative Care, Chennai), who shared the vision and journey of SOUL Palliative Care and highlighted its ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.
The academic sessions commenced with Dr Nirupa Sundaravadanam (Physician and Palliative Care Trainer, Chennai), who provided an insightful overview of the evolution, history, and core concepts of palliative care, laying a strong foundation for participants. This was followed by an engaging session on communication skills by Dr Mallika Tiruvadanan (Founder Trustee, Lakshmi Pain and Palliative Care Trust, Chennai), which emphasised the importance of empathetic and effective interactions with patients and their families.
Clinical management sessions formed a key highlight of the programme. Lt Mrs Alice Stella Verginia (National Faculty, IAPC) conducted multiple in-depth sessions covering the management of dyspnoea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, as well as essential nursing procedures including wound care, bladder care, oral hygiene, nasogastric tube management, colostomy care, tracheostomy care, and lymphoedema management. Her sessions effectively combined theoretical knowledge with practical insights.
Further enriching the programme, Dr Divya Narayana (CMO, Family Welfare Centre, Military Hospital, Chennai & Executive Committee member, IAPC) delivered a session on optimisation of care, end-of-life care, and ethical considerations, underscoring the importance of dignity and compassion during the terminal phase of life.
Dr Revathi Saravanan (Medical Officer, Soul Palliative Care) addressed psychological support, focusing on the emotional and mental well-being of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
A crucial session on pain management, including pain assessment, evaluation, and the WHO pain ladder, was conducted by Dr Mohamed Nidhal S (Neurointensivist, Chennai), equipping participants with essential tools for effective pain relief.
The programme also covered the management of delirium, reinforcing the importance of timely recognition and appropriate intervention in palliative care settings.
Throughout the two days, the training emphasised a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, integrating physical, psychological, social, and ethical aspects of care. The sessions were highly interactive, enabling participants to actively engage, clarify doubts, and enhance their practical understanding.
This initiative reinforced the shared commitment of SOUL Palliative Care and Saveetha College of Nursing to advancing palliative care education and improving the quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses.
The programme received enthusiastic participation and positive feedback, marking it as a significant step towards strengthening palliative care practice and awareness.
CanSupport and DR. B.R. A. IRCH, AIIMS, successfully conducted the 23rd Annual Foundation Course on 23rd & 24th March, 2026
CanSupport, in collaboration with the Department of Oncoanaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, DR. B. R. A. IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, successfully conducted the 23rd Annual Foundation Course between 23rd and 24th March, 2026. The program witnessed enthusiastic participation from 137 attendees representing 15 hospitals, nursing colleges, NGOs, and individual professionals.
The event was graced by the Chief Guest, Mr. K. R. Chawla (former Deputy Drugs Controller, Government of Delhi), whose presence added significance to the occasion.
The academic sessions were delivered by eminent faculty from the Department of Oncoanaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, IRCH, AIIMS, CanSupport, and other institutions. The program covered a wide range of essential topics, including pain management, communication skills, wound management, management of gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, ethical issues in palliative care, advance directives / living will, lymphoedema management, and care in the last days and hours of life.
The course concluded on a lively and engaging note with a laughter yoga session conducted by the Delhi Laughter Group, leaving participants refreshed and energized.
Participants highly appreciated the quality of the course content and the expertise of the faculty, and expressed keen interest in attending similar programs in the future.
Workshops on Palliative Care for Nursing Students by CanSupport, New Delhi
CanSupport, New Delhi, organised a series of Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) programmes on palliative care for nursing students and professionals in March 2026, with the aim of strengthening knowledge and skills in holistic patient care.
A two-day CNE programme was conducted for third-year BSc Nursing students at Kailash College of Nursing, Greater Noida. The workshop was attended by 105 students and faculty members, who actively participated in the sessions and appreciated the comprehensive coverage of key aspects of palliative care.
The sessions were led by Ms. Savita Luka (Director Nursing & Head Training, CanSupport; National Faculty, IAPC). Dr. Rakesh Garg (Professor, Department of Palliative Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi) contributed through online sessions, enriching the academic discussions with his expertise.
In addition, another two-day CNE workshop on palliative care was conducted on 9th and 10th March , 2026 at Sant Parmanand Multi-speciality Hospital, Delhi. This workshop was organised for nursing students, faculty, and staff nurses, and saw participation from approximately 135 attendees. The sessions were delivered by members of the CanSupport training team.
These initiatives reflect Can Support’s ongoing commitment to building capacity among nursing professionals.
Update from APM’s lecture series 4
The Academy of Palliative Medicine continued its Monday morning Lectures in March 2026. Topics, speakers, and moderators for March 2026 were as follows:
2nd March – Neuro Behavioural Insights and Management
Speaker: Aby John Thami | Moderator: Dr Jyothsna Kuriakose
9th March – Geriatric Frailty- Focused Palliative Care
Speaker: Dr Ananya D Bhat | Moderator: Dr Praveen Kumar K
16th March – Climate Change and Palliative Care: Preparing for a Humanitarian Health Crisis
Speaker: Dr Joshua Samuel | Moderator: Dr Nancy Jefrilla
23rd March- Narrative Medicine and Reflective Practice: Evidence for Professional Wellbeing
Speaker: Dr Rakshitha Latha V| Moderator: Dr Bhanu Pratap Mourya
30th March – “Compassionomics: The Science of Empathy in Clinical Outcomes”
Speaker: Dr S Syed Aslam Sherieff | Moderator: Dr Gayatri Palat
Lecture Series 4: Sessions Planned for April 2026
We warmly invite you to join the lectures scheduled for April 2026. Details as follows:
