From the President’s Desk

Dear All,

Dr. Geeta Joshi

Just a few days ago, we received the deeply saddening news of the passing of Prof. Akram Lal, Past President of the IAPC (1996–97). Prof. Lal served with distinction as Professor in Anaesthesia at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi—a city that became a nurturing ground for both the Indian Society for the Study of Pain (ISSP) and the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC). His tireless dedication and pioneering spirit have left a lasting imprint on both the fields. The IAPC fondly remembers and pays tribute to this remarkable soul whose contributions will continue to inspire generations. We invite you to share your fond memories and photographs highlighting Prof. Akram Lal’s invaluable contributions to Palliative Care in a special memorial page dedicated to his legacy. Please click here to access the page and pay your respects.

I had the honour of attending the inauguration of a philanthropic social impact initiative by Manipal Academy of higher Education (MAHE) – Manipal Hospice & Respite Centre. This state-of-the-art facility is aimed at relieving suffering of palliative care patients. Apart from in-patient beds, the facility has been thoughtfully designed to ease the suffering of those needing palliative care, each reflecting the compassionate vision and meticulous planning of the Department of Palliative Medicine under the inspiring leadership of Dr. Naveen Salins. These facilities, led by skilled professionals, stand as beacons of hope and comfort. Congratulations to the team for this achievement!

Continuing our commitment to capacity building, we announce the 2nd cohort of the IAPC’s Certificate Course in Basics of Palliative Care – A Blended Learning Program, delivered by Academy of Palliative Medicine (APM). The course will begin in July 2025. We are pleased to introduce the 3rd cohort of another popular program delivered by APM for Nurses – Advanced Nursing Skills in Palliative Care. We are also delighted to share the successful completion of the online theory part of the IAPC’s Foundation Course in Palliative Care for Volunteers in May 2025. Candidates are now proceeding to complete the Part B Hands on Training at various palliative care centres. Applications are now open for our popular training programs, The Foundation Course in Physiotherapy and Palliative Care interface and Foundation Course in the Essentials of Palliative Care for Doctors and Nurses.

In another meaningful stride, the IAPC supported a four-day training programme in Itanagar (6 – 9 May, 2025) for doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff from 26 districts of Arunachal Pradesh. This initiative, led by passionate palliative care champions from the North-East region, demonstrated the power of regional leadership and community-driven impact.

For all course announcements and reports on various training programs conducted in last few weeks across India please visit the education and training section of this Newsletter.

As part of our continued collaboration with the National Health Mission, the IAPC has also developed a curriculum to train doctors and nurses under the National Program for Palliative Care and stands ready to support states by mobilising trained professionals from across India.

The organising team of the 33rd International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2026) has been working tirelessly for presenting a brilliant academic event. The abstract submission is open from 1st June, and the scientific committee extends its invitation to all researchers to submit abstracts to highlight their study from the field of palliative care in this prestigious platform. For abstract submission, please visit the conference website.

In the June edition of IAPC’s newsletter, we present exclusive articles celebrating important days in June 2025, contributed by authors working in different settings in India and abroad.

The contributors are:

Congratulations to the authors for their excellent work. I invite all the readers to check out the exclusive articles section and enjoy the valuable insights shared by the authors.

As I wrap up, I would like to reflect on the recent milestones—expanding compassionate care and building strong educational foundations. It is evident that the India’s Palliative Care services continue to progress with a purpose. Let us stay united in our mission to weave palliative care into every thread of healthcare delivery in India.

I invite you to enjoy reading the June Edition of the IAPC’s Newsletter which highlights recent milestones in palliative care, features exclusive articles, emphasizes the importance of education, Celebrating awards and achievements of our friends, and many more.

Warm regards.

Dr. Geeta Joshi
President, IAPC