From the President’s Desk
Dear friends,
November has been an exceptionally eventful month for the IAPC (Indian Association of Palliative Care), marked by a series of training programs, academic engagements, visits to organisations, and strategic meetings. These activities not only strengthened our national faculty pool and supported ongoing educational initiatives but also provided valuable insights into the evolving needs, especially in the urban, rural, and remote settings. We made connections, observed progress, and engaged in meaningful collaborations encountered throughout the month to further reinforce our vision for expanding and strengthening palliative care across India. I would like to share with you some of the significant developments and reflections from these engagements during the month of November as we move forward into the last month this year.
IAPC organised “Sharpen Your Skills”, a Training Program for National Faculty (Nursing), at the Institute of Nursing Sciences, Bhaikaka University, Karamsad, Gujarat, on 1st and 2nd November, 2025. Faculty members from different parts of the country namely, Mrs. Honey Mathew (Karnataka), Mr. Vipin Paul (Kerala), Mrs. Anna Rao (Gujarat), Mr. Sudip Rudra Paul (Assam), Mr. Prince V. V. (Kerala), Mrs. Meheli Chakraborty (West Bengal), Mrs. Savita Luka (New Delhi), Lt. Col. (Dr). Lovely Antony (Kerala), Dr. Asha Shetty (Odisha), Mr. Terrymize I (Tamil Nadu), Mrs. Hanife MacGamwell (Rajasthan), Mrs. Stella Timung (Kerala), Mr. Sachin Dwivedi (Uttarakhand), Col. (Dr.) Yashavant Joshi (Gujarat), and Dr. Geeta Joshi (Gujarat), actively participated in the program. The sessions focused on strengthening nurse training initiatives under the IAPC, with rich discussions, sharing of experiences, and collaborative learning (Click here to read report). I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Dinesh Kumar and Prof. Shany Thomas for their invaluable local support and excellent arrangements that contributed to the success of this program
Consistent with the promise of nurturing nursing capacities in palliative care we conducted the Final exam for the IAPC Gold Medal for Nurses on 3rd November, 2025. Ms. Meenu Yadav (Staff Nurse, Rajasthan), Mr. Samim Reja Biswas (Staff Nurse, Karnataka) and Mr. Mussaib Mushtaq (Staff Nurse, Jammu & Kashmir) participated in the examination. I am very happy to inform you that Ms. Meenu Yadav secured first place and will be awarded the medal during IAPCON 2026 at Hyderabad.
I also wish to share highlights from my recent visit to Assam, aimed at strengthening local capacities to enhance palliative care services in the region. I visited the Sacred Heart Palliative Care Centre, Guwahati, along with Dr. Dinesh Goswami and Col. Yashavant Joshi. We conducted a Training of Trainers (ToT) program for volunteers, nurses, and doctors (Click here to know more) at Baptist Christian Hospital, Tezpur. This training was particularly significant, as the Baptist Christian Hospital has hosted several programmes in the past, and it is now the right time to empower them further and support their development as an IAPC Centre for various trainings and IAPC courses. The IAPC core team also met Dr. Asolie Chase, the Managing Director, to discuss further collaboration. In addition, we had a meaningful meeting with members of Rotary Greater Tezpur, the key donors supporting the palliative care ward, home-care van, and other initiatives. On the final day, we visited five patients at home and engaged in constructive discussions with the home-care team on strategies to improve service quality and further empower local communities.
For the first time, a “Pioneers’ Meeting” was organised to deliberate on key administrative and financial matters, as well as the targets to be achieved under Vision 2030. Held at Karunashraya, Bengaluru, on 15–16 November 2025, the meeting brought together past Presidents along with the APM and IAPC core teams. We received invaluable suggestions and guidance from our pioneers, Dr. Nagesh Simha and Dr. Mary Ann Muckaden (Past President, IAPC), while Dr. Naveen Salins (Secretary General, APM), Dr. Raghu Thota (Secretary, IAPC) and Dr. Raghavendra (Editor, IJPC) shared important insights on international collaborations, engagement with the Government of India, and developments related to the Indian Journal of Palliative Care. I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Nagesh Simha (Medical Director, Karunashraya Hospice) and the Karunashraya team for their assistance in organising the meeting in Bangalore.
The month also witnessed the successful hosting of the first West Bengal IAPCON, where the enthusiasm and dedication of the young Kolkata team were clearly visible (Click here to know more). A visit to Ruma Abedona Hospice, Hooghly, further highlighted opportunities for strengthening IAPC’s support in the interiors of the state. In addition, the Executive Committee meeting held on 26th November facilitated discussions on proposed amendments to the IAPC Bylaws and several other significant agenda items shaping the organisation’s future.
As we move forward, the IAPC remains deeply committed to expanding its presence in remote and rural regions across the country. Strengthening palliative care at the grassroots is central to our vision, and we aim to support these areas through regular CME programs, capacity-building trainings, and community awareness initiatives. By empowering local healthcare providers and engaging communities, we hope to ensure that quality palliative care becomes accessible to all, regardless of geography.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Geeta Joshi
President, Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC)