Education and Training

Submit applications before 5th July, 2025, for the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in Essentials of Palliative Care’

Applications are invited from Doctors and Nurses for the IAPC’s ‘Foundation Course in the Essentials of Palliative Care’, July 2025 batch. The course previously known as the IAPC’s Certificate Course in Essentials of Palliative Care (CCEPC) is scheduled to begin in July 2025.

This basic course in palliative care is intended for doctors and nurses, aiming to integrate the principles of palliative care in everyday practice, enhancing patient care through proper communication and management of difficult symptoms.

This course will be delivered as two components:

  • Part A: A mandatory online theory ‘Part A’ component and
  • Part B: A practical hands-on ‘Part B’ component(recommended but optional).

The completion of both Part A and B will help the Doctors to procure RMI Status for the medical institution where they work fulltime. The RMI licence is essentials for procuring and stocking NDPS drugs.

Part A, Online theory Sessions:

The theory sessions have been scheduled outside regular working hours to accommodate professionals’ busy schedules and enhance the participation.

The theoretical ‘Part A’ component of the upcoming batch will be held as:

  • Late evening sessions on week days from 6.30 p.m. to 8.45 p. m on 14th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, 28th & 30th July, 2025 and on 1st August, 2025
  • Evening sessions from 4.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays 19th and 26th July, 2025
  • Early morning sessions from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sundays 20th and 27th July, 2025

 Select Clinical sessions will be held separately for Doctors and Nurses.

Eligibility and Course Fee:

  • Doctors (MBBS/BDS), Rs. 10, 000
  • Nurses (BSc Nursing/ GNM), Rs. 4000

Last Date for application submission:  The last date to submit applications is Saturday, 5th July, 2025.

Application Portal:  For further details about the course and to submit e-applications, please click here.

Advance Your Skills: ‘IAPC’s Foundation Course in the Physiotherapy – Palliative Care interface’!

Limited seats only, filling fast – Apply soon…!!!

Last date to register: Monday, 9th June, 2025

The Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) is offering a comprehensive course focused on the crucial role of physiotherapy within palliative care. This program aims to equip candidates with the knowledge and skills to effectively manage pain, improve mobility, and enhance the quality of life for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

Please click here for more information and for registration

Registrations Open: 2nd Cohort of IAPC Certificate Course in Basics of Palliative Care

The Academy of Palliative Medicine (APM), invites applications for the second cohort of Certificate Course in Basics of Palliative Care, beginning on 11th July 2025.

This six-month, MBBS-level course offers 600 hours of blended learning, combining interactive online sessions with supervised clinical attachments.

Highlights of the course:

  • Dedicated mentors to support learners throughout the course
  • 2 live sessions per week to ensure dynamic, interactive learning
  • 12 days of hands-on clinical training for practical experience

This course is designed to equip medical professionals with both theoretical knowledge and real-world skills to deliver compassionate and competent palliative care.

For more information, please contact: +91 63616 46682 / apm.iapc@gmail.com

Please click here or Scan the QR code to complete your course registration.

Register for Advanced Nursing Skills in Palliative Care

The Academy of Palliative Medicine (APM) invites nurses to enrol in the Advanced Nursing Skills in Palliative Care course, beginning on  5th August 2025.

This 6-month online certificate program is designed to strengthen clinical skills while fostering compassionate, patient-centred care. The course offers:

  • A comprehensive blend of clinical expertise and empathetic communication
  • Holistic approaches tailored to meet the needs of patients and families
  • Content curated by field experts to ensure evidence-based and human-centered learning

This program is ideal for nurses seeking to expand their palliative care competencies in a structured, supportive environment.

For more information about this course, please reach out to: +91 63616 46682 or apm.iapc@gmail.com

Please click here or Scan the QR code to complete your course registration

Empowering Compassionate Care: 85 Clinicians Complete Palliative & Geriatric Care Training in Arunachal Pradesh, 6th – 9th May, 2025

A four-day training program on Palliative and Geriatric Care was organised successfully between 6th and 9th May, 2025 in Naharlagun, Itanagar, with the aim to build skill and capacity in both palliative and geriatric care delivery among healthcare providers across the state. This initiative was facilitated by the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) and organized by the National Health Mission (NHM), Arunachal Pradesh, under the National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC) and the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE).   

Held at Hotel Golden Orchid, the program drew 85 clinicians from 21 districts, offering comprehensive training on pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, ethical care, and elderly care practices.

The program was formally inaugurated with an introduction of the faculty members, followed by an address by Dr. Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC). She emphasised the relevance of this training program and expressed her gratitude to the National Health Mission (NHM), Government of Arunachal Pradesh, for this initiative. This was followed by a keynote address delivered by the chief guest, Shri Marge Sora (Mission Director, NHM, Government of Arunachal Pradesh), who underscored the significance of elderly and palliative care in today’s society. On the occasion, Dr. Dukam Taipodia (State Nodal Officer, NPHCE) unveiled a promotional video on elderly healthcare. He also highlighted the vital role of comprehensive primary health care within both the NPCC and NPHCE frameworks. Distinguished faculty members were felicitated in recognition of their expertise and valuable contributions.

Sessions were delivered by a distinguished panel of experts, including Dr. Geeta Joshi (President, IAPC), Dr. Sanghamitra Bora, Dr. Nandan Choudhury, Dr. Obangjungla, Dr. Bomto Riram, Dr. Hage Sonia, Ms. Aying Mary Siram, and Mr. Sachin Dwivedi, with program coordination and key inputs from Dr. Tashi Chotton (Nodal Officer, NPPC) and Dr. Dukam Taipodia (Nodal Officer, NPHCE).

This impactful training marks a significant step towards strengthening compassionate, quality healthcare for older adults and those living with life-limiting illnesses in Arunachal Pradesh.

42 Individuals Embark on Compassionate Care Journey with IAPC’s Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers

The second cohort of the online Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers in 2025 saw the enthusiastic participation of 42 individuals from India and Nepal. The 16 hours of online theory classes, spread over two weeks, were delivered in May 2025. Participants hailed from a wide range of backgrounds including allopathic, ayurvedic, and homeopathic medicine, nursing, social work, counselling and law.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Participants appreciated the expertise and clarity of the faculty, the interactive and well-structured sessions, and the commitment of the organizing team. The inclusion of case discussions, Q&A, and role-plays enhanced engagement.

Feedback snippets:

“The faculty facilitating the sessions is so experienced that they are able to give a lot of clarity about the real-life challenges and things which one needs to be aware of.”
“Interactive content with case studies and promptness in addressing our queries were impressive.”

This strong engagement reflects the growing interest in volunteer-driven palliative care and lays a promising foundation for the in-person Part B training ahead.

Congratulations to all compassionate volunteers who have successfully completed the Part A theory component of the Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers!

We’re looking forward to your continued journey in palliative care.

Empowering Nurses through ELNEC Palliative Care: Training program at RIMS Ranchi to Strengthen Palliative Care in Jharkhand, 3rd to 4th May, 2025

An impactful ELNEC (End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium) training was conducted at RIMS Ranchi between 3rd and 4th May, 2025, with the participation of 53 enthusiastic healthcare professionals from various departments. Notably, some nurses went the extra mile, traveling far to attend this event, which also drew prominent attendees like the Surgeon General, reflecting growing interest and commitment to palliative care in the region.

The program was organized by Dr. Dipali Singh, Professor and her dedicated team of residents and nurses, whose efforts are laying the groundwork for the expansion of palliative care services in Jharkhand.

As RIMS’ palliative care capacity grows, it is poised to benefit thousands across the state.

Sessions were facilitated by Mr. Arvind Kumar Sharma, (Senior Nursing Officer, AIIMS Jodhpur), Sr. Nileema Shingade(Senior Nursing Officer, AIIMS Delhi), and Sr. Hanife Mac Gamwell.

Congratulations to all faculty, organizers, and participants for successfully organising this program. Your commitment towards advancing compassionate care is truly commendable.

Two impactful ELNEC-supported palliative care nursing workshops were organised in Kerala and Tamil Nadu

The Paediatric Palliative Training Program, supported by ELNEC, IQRAA Hospital, and Thanal Trust, was conducted on 5th and 6th March 2025 at JDT Nursing College, Kozhikode. Facilitated by Dr. Jody Chrastek (Coordinator, Paediatric Advanced Complex Care Team – PACCT) and Lt. Alice Stella Verginia (National Faculty, IAPC), the two-day workshop focused on enhancing pediatric palliative care skills. Forty participants, including GNM, B.Sc, and M.Sc pediatric nurses, took part in this insightful and practical training.

The ELNEC Palliative Care Nursing Workshop was successfully conducted on 28th and 29th, May, 2025, at Saveetha College of Nursing, Saveetha University, Chennai, in collaboration with Soul Palliative Care, Chennai. Led by Lt. Alice Stella Verginia (National Faculty, IAPC) and Lt. Col. Lovely Antony (Nursing Faculty), the sessions trained around 100 nursing students in compassionate communication, symptom management, and holistic care.

These workshops reflect a strong commitment towards building nursing excellence in palliative care across India.

Congratulations to the team and participants for these very successful programs!

11th CME of the Delhi State Chapter of IAPC on “Holistic Wound and Ostomy Care,” was conducted on 24th May 2025

The 11th CME of the Delhi State Chapter of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC), was successfully conducted on 24th May 2025 at IRCH, AIIMS New Delhi, organized by the Department of Onco-Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine under the leadership of Dr. Seema Mishra (Head of the Department, Department of Onco- Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, IRCH, AIIMS, Delhi). The theme, “Holistic Wound and Ostomy Care,” addressed complex cancer-related wound management through a blend of evidence-based lectures and hands-on training. Prof. Nishkarsh Gupta (Professor, Dep of Onco Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi) Dr. Prateek Maurya and Dr Bhanu Pratap Maurya (Assistant Professors,  Dep of Onco Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi),   Dr. Sanjeev Kumar and Dr. Himanshu Varshney (Senior Residents, Dep of Onco Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi),  and Mr. Vijay Kumar (Nursing Officer,  IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi) served as the expert faculty for the program.

Over 70 participants, including doctors, nurses, and postgraduate students, engaged in sessions covering cancer wound types, symptom control, and ostomy care. Faculty members from AIIMS led both didactic and interactive sessions, with strong emphasis on patient-centered, multidisciplinary approaches. Participants appreciated the skill-based learning format and direct interaction with faculty, expressing a keen interest in further training in palliative wound care.

The workshop concluded with a call for continued training and collaboration in palliative wound care—reinforcing IAPC’s mission to relieve suffering in all its forms.

Webinar Spotlight: Department of Palliative Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi Hosts Insightful Session on Pain

The Department of Palliative Medicine at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, under the leadership of Dr. Shoba Nair (Professor and Head), hosted an engaging and insightful webinar focused on advancing knowledge and practice in pain management. The event brought together a distinguished panel of experts, including:

  • Hemanand Krishnamurthy (Assistant Professor, Department of Pain & Palliative Care, Government Tirupur Medical College Hospital, Tamil Nadu)
  • Tisha Ann Babu (Senior Consultant and Head, Department of Interventional Pain Management, Lourdes Hospital, Kochi)
  • Meera Prabha (Assistant Professor, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Kochi)
  • Chitra Venkateswaran (Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Tiruvalla)
  • Spandana Rayala (Associate Director, Sunflower Children’s Network, TWCC)
  • Aneesh V Gopinathan (Medical Director, Kancare Assisted Living)

The webinar explored a range of critical topics, including the management of head and neck pain, ultrasound-guided interventions for musculoskeletal shoulder pain, emotional aspects of pain, paediatric pain management, and approaches to pain relief in end-of-life care—with a special focus on opioid use.

With the participation of 40 doctors, the event fostered a rich exchange of knowledge and clinical experience.

The Department of Palliative Medicine at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences Kochi, remains committed to promoting multidisciplinary learning and evidence-based practices in pain management, striving toward more compassionate and effective patient care. We wish them continued success in their vital efforts!

Nagaland Advances Community-Based Palliative Care through Awareness and Engagement

A series of impactful community-centered palliative care initiatives have been unfolding in Nagaland under the leadership of Dr. Obangjungla (Executive Committee Member, IAPC, North East Region), reflecting a growing commitment to compassionate healthcare at the grassroots level.

  • Community Awareness Session (23rd March 2025): A sensitization talk on palliative care was delivered to a congregation of approximately 600 to 700 people before a church service, highlighting the importance of supportive care in the community setting.
  • Women’s Empowerment Programs: Recognizing the vital role of women as family caregivers (who make up nearly 85% of caregiving roles), two community engagement programs titled “Embracing Palliative Care” were organised. Over 500 women attended.
  • Additionally, 245 women participated in a focused, interactive session that encouraged open dialogue and community reflection on caregiving roles and support.

These efforts are complemented by advocacy initiatives urging the government to initiate Certificate Courses in palliative care for doctors and nurses across the state.

Together, these programs mark a meaningful shift toward building a palliative care-informed community and workforce in Nagaland.

Congratulations Dr Obangjungla for your commitment and tireless efforts!

Call for Applications: Paediatric Palliative Medicine Fellowship 2026

Applications are now open for the one-year Paediatric Palliative Medicine Virtual Fellowship for the year 2026-2027, for paediatricians across South and Southeast Asia. This specialist-level training focuses on equipping clinicians to deliver high-quality, compassionate care for children with life-limiting conditions.

Fellowship Dates: Between 5th January, 2026 and 4th January, 2027

Format: Combined virtual and clinical training, including:

  • 2 months at a regional Centre of Excellence
  • 2 months of supervised clinical practice in the home country
  • Expert-led teaching by national and international faculty
  • Mentorship for a research or quality improvement project

Course Fee: $1000 USD (Scholarships available upon request for eligible candidates)

Applications Open: From 26th May, 2025
Last date for receiving application: 14th July, 2025

This fellowship program is jointly conductd by the Hyderabad Centre for Palliative Care and Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration and endorsed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (UK)

Please click here to download the Prospectus and Application Form

For more details, contact: Ms. Rizwana Hussain at programsprojectmanager@twoworldscancer.ca

Update from the APM’s lecture series

Report on activities in May 2025

The month of May witnessed three highly informative sessions as part of the Academy of Palliative Medicine’s Online Lecture Series 3. This ongoing series, designed to feature 52 lectures over the year, focuses on ‘Recent Advances in Palliative Care’. Sessions are delivered by MD and DNB students in Palliative Medicine from across the country and are moderated by expert faculty members.

The session on 5th May, 2025, featured an insightful presentation on “Fast-track trials in palliative care” by Dr Sai Sowmya Pulluri, moderated by Dr Praneeth Suvvari.

On 19th May, 2025, the series continued with an excellent presentation on “Evidence-based management strategies for managing anorexia and fatigue”, delivered by Dr Sreeharsh S and moderated by Dr Gaurav Sharma.

The session on 26th May, 2025, concluded the month with a compelling talk on “Evidence on the role of metronomic chemotherapy in a palliative care setting”, presented by Dr Dipa Amte and moderated by Dr Raghu Thota.

The IAPC extends its sincere appreciation to all the speakers and moderators for their dedication and for contributing their expertise to enhance the knowledge and skills of the palliative care community.

Sessions planned for June 2025

We invite you to join us for the lectures scheduled for June 2025, from the APM’s online Lecture Series 3. Details as follows: