Education and Training
Certificate Course in Palliative Care for Nursing Faculty Launched
The Indian Association of Palliative Care announces the launch of a Certificate Course in Palliative Care for Nursing Faculty, commencing in March 2026. This specialised online training programme has been designed to strengthen the capacity of nursing educators across India to effectively deliver the palliative care module incorporated into the undergraduate nursing curriculum. Conducted over 10 days with two hours of sessions per day, the course includes an end of course examination and reflective care writing component. Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded 3 INC credit points.
Click here to register for the course.
Applications are invited for the 9th online batch of the ‘IAPC’s Foundation Course in Palliative Care Pharmacy’ scheduled to be held on Saturday, 28th March, 2026
This is a basic course which aims to equip participants with adequate knowledge of commonly used drugs in Palliative Care for pain management and to manage other symptoms. The course will also cover Essential Narcotic Drugs and Narcotic Drugs, along with the technical legalities to procure, store, dispense and document the same.
The 7-hour course will be delivered in two parts; a virtual 4.5-hour Part A module and an in-person 2.5 hour Part B module.
While the course is primarily designed for candidates with a Diploma or a Degree in Pharmacy, Doctors (MBBS, BDS) are also eligible to participate in the course.
Please click here for further information and to register for the training program.
Awareness Program On Palliative Care
An Awareness Program on Palliative Care was organized by the District Community Development Programme (DCDP) in collaboration with the Palliative Care Unit of Baptist Christian Hospital, Tezpur, on 18th February 2026 at Bheluadanga village, Karibil, Biswanath, Assam. The theme of the program was “Caring Beyond Cure – Bringing Comfort, Dignity & Hope.”
Dr. Jerine and the palliative care team from Baptist Christian Hospital travelled approximately 50 kilometers from the hospital to conduct the awareness session. Bheluadanga village, with a population of 1,054 according to the 2021 census data, is a rural community where access to specialized healthcare services remains limited. Recognizing this need, the team reached out to educate and empower the local community about palliative care services.
A total of 32 participants attended the program. Most of them were village elders/ heads of the village, and helpers of community health workers, whose leadership and influence are vital in strengthening community-based healthcare initiatives. Their presence reflected the community’s interest and willingness to understand and support palliative care services.
The program began with registration and welcome, followed by an introduction to the concept of palliative care. Dr. Jerine explained the principles of palliative care, emphasizing the difference between palliative care and curative treatment. The session highlighted the importance of early integration of palliative care in chronic and life-limiting illnesses to ensure comfort, dignity, and improved quality of life.
Further sessions focused on addressing pain and symptom management, as well as the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and their families. The team also discussed the role of family members, ASHA workers, self-help groups, and community leaders in supporting home-based care. An open discussion and question-answer session allowed participants to share their concerns, experiences, and practical challenges faced in caring for the sick and elderly.
The interaction was meaningful and participatory. Many elders expressed their appreciation for the clarity provided regarding home-based care and the availability of support from the hospital’s palliative care team. The session concluded with a resolution to strengthen collaboration between the village leadership, community health workers, and the hospital team to ensure timely identification and referral of patients in need.
The awareness program successfully enhanced understanding of palliative care among community leaders and health volunteers. It also reinforced the commitment of Baptist Christian Hospital to extend compassionate care beyond hospital walls, reaching remote villages with comfort, dignity, and hope.
Soul Palliative Care Organizes Community Outreach Camp in Vellakkal, Chennai
As part of its Community Outreach initiative, Soul Palliative Care conducted a community outreach camp at Vellakkal village, Chennai, with the aim of spreading awareness about palliative care in rural and underserved communities. The program focused on introducing the concept of palliative care and highlighting its role in improving the quality of life of individuals with serious illnesses. Mr. Vetry Selven, Palliative Social Worker, addressed the community and emphasized the importance of early palliative care and community involvement.
The camp was led by Mrs. Preetha Mahesh, Founder, Soul Palliative Care, who reiterated the organization’s commitment to taking palliative care to every village and ensuring compassionate, patient-centered support.
Volunteers of Soul Palliative Care actively participated in the program, engaging with community members and promoting awareness about available palliative care services.
Max Hospital Vaishali Hosts “Sukoon” A Healing Pause for Caregivers
In the demanding journey of chronic illness, caregivers often stand silently at the center of strength and sacrifice, rarely pausing to care for themselves. In a heartfelt initiative dedicated to those who tirelessly support others, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, organized “Sukoon: A Healing Pause for Caregivers” on 27th December, 2025. Rooted in compassion and clinical insight, the programme was led by Dr Neha Singh, Consultant and Incharge, Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine, and Ms Sanskriti Singh, Psycho Oncologist, Department of Psycho Oncology.
Sukoon was designed as a restorative space offering emotional, physical, and psychological respite to caregivers navigating long term illness alongside their loved ones. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 100 attendees, including 65 caregivers. Notably, 50 clinicians and professionals from multiple specialties also joined the programme, underscoring that caregiving and empathy are shared responsibilities across all medical disciplines at Max Hospital. The programme featured thoughtfully curated sessions focused on holistic wellbeing.
Empowering Through Knowledge and Wellness
Genetic Awareness
Participants were guided to replace fear of the unknown with clarity and informed understanding.
Nutritional Support
Sessions emphasized caregiver self-care, reinforcing the principle that sustained caregiving requires personal wellbeing.
Mind Body Connection
Gentle yoga and mindfulness practices enabled participants to release accumulated stress and reconnect with the present moment.
Healing Stories
A deeply moving segment invited caregivers to share personal journeys, fostering connection, validation, and collective resilience.
The primary objective of Sukoon was to address caregiver psychological burnout, an often overlooked aspect of chronic illness management. The programme facilitated meaningful psychosocial relief by encouraging caregivers to rediscover their identity beyond their caregiving role. In addition, expert led discussions strengthened holistic clinical literacy by bridging the gap between formal medical care and the practical realities of everyday caregiving at home. The presence of diverse clinical teams reinforced the concept of a 360 degree support system, ensuring that caregivers encounter empathy and understanding at every hospital touchpoint.
One of the most significant impacts was the shift in awareness among attending clinicians. The event highlighted that Palliative Care and Psycho Oncology are not limited to end of life settings but are essential supportive layers throughout a patient’s treatment journey. Many specialists recognized the value of early referrals and the importance of routinely asking not only about the patient’s condition, but also about the family’s wellbeing.
A Celebration of Humanity
The afternoon concluded with cultural performances and music, transforming the atmosphere from clinical to celebratory. Laughter, movement, and shared joy reminded participants that they are more than diagnoses or duties. As attendees departed, they carried with them not only medical insights, but also a renewed sense of calm and the understanding that pausing to care for oneself is not a luxury, but a necessity.
IPM PALMEDCON 2026: Beyond Guidelines, Within Community
IPM PALMEDCON 2026, organised by the Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM) in association with IAPC Kerala , was successfully conducted on 7–8 February 2026. With over 60 participants representing Kerala and several other states of India, the conference marked a significant milestone as the first-ever conference hosted by IPM fully utilising its newly renovated spaces.
The theme, “Palliative Care Beyond Guidelines,” set the tone for rich academic engagement and practical learning. The programme covered diverse and relevant topics including communication skills in palliative care, Death Café conversations, paediatric end-of-life care, grief and bereavement support, opioid safety, community partnerships, and government schemes for people with palliative care needs . The sessions aimed to bridge theory and practice, encouraging context-sensitive, compassionate care.
One of the most appreciated aspects of IPM PALMEDCON 2026 was its innovative approach to learning. Staying true to its theme, “Palliative Care Beyond Guidelines,” the conference intentionally moved beyond textbook knowledge and standard protocols. The sessions created space for clinicians to share the practical wisdom gained from everyday experiences in diverse palliative care clinics. Real-world challenges, contextual decision-making, communication nuances, and ethical dilemmas were openly discussed, allowing participants to learn from lived practice rather than theory alone. This emphasis on experiential learning and reflective dialogue made the conference deeply relevant and grounded in the realities of compassionate care.
The conference was widely appreciated by participants. “It was really a wonderful experience for me. The faculties, topics, discussions, venue, and food — everything was excellent. The simplicity of the proceedings and the punctual timings were commendable. Big salute to the IPM team.” One attendee shared
Another participant reflected emotionally:
“IPM is my cradle where I have achieved my milestones. Though I live away, every opportunity to visit IPM is so nostalgic. I am humbled by the hospitality of the organising team and excited by the palliative care knowledge that I am taking back with me.”
Special appreciation was expressed for the student volunteers, whose dedication and coordination were described as “amazing.”
IPM PALMEDCON 2026 was a vibrant academic and community gathering that reflected IPM’s continuing commitment to strengthening palliative care nationally and globally . Encouraged by the overwhelming response, IPM plans to make this conference an annual event, creating a recurring platform for meaningful dialogue, collaboration, and growth in palliative care.
Update from APM’s lecture series 4
The Academy of Palliative Medicine continued its early morning academic engagements in February 2026 with three focused sessions addressing key clinical and strategic domains within palliative medicine. The discussions reflected a balance between subspecialty practice, future oriented thinking, and critical appraisal of prognostic science.
The February 2026 sessions brought together postgraduate trainees and experienced faculty for structured, evidence informed dialogue. Topics, speakers, and moderators for February 2026 were as follows:
2nd February – Pediatric Palliative Care New Horizons
Speaker: Dr Arun Kumar Choudhary | Moderator: Dr Nipun Lamba
9th February – The Future of Palliative Care Innovation, Education, and Global Collaboration
Speaker: Dr Abhishek Shrivastava | Moderator: Dr Anjum Joad
23rd February – Prognostication Tools in Palliative Medicine Evidence and Limitations
Speaker: Dr Diksha Sharma | Moderator: Dr Lekha Raval
These sessions strengthened academic engagement within the APM community and reinforced the importance of clinical excellence, research literacy, and collaborative growth in advancing palliative care practice across settings.
Lecture Series 4: Sessions Planned for March 2026
We warmly invite you to join the lectures scheduled for March 2026. Details as follows:
