IAPC Newsletter: July 2022

From the President’s Desk

Dear Friends,

The IAPC extends its heartiest warm wishes to all the Palliative Care Doctors, on the occasion of National Doctors’ Day! To commemorate this day, the IAPC presents to you a compilation of the MD and DNB Doctors of Palliative Medicine from across India. We invite you to visit the IAPC’s celebration of National Doctors Day webpage to meet, acknowledge, encourage, and motivate these young torch bearers who will be propelling the development of palliative care throughout the country. 

I am saddened to share that our colleagues in Assam are faced with challenges due to the flood situation. I request you to extend support to the palliative care community in Assam, in whichever way possible. The Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Center, in Assam, is struggling to continue their operations to care for the suffering patients. This cancer facility treats underprivileged patients from some of the most underserved locations in northeast India. Let’s join hands to support them. Please click here to make a donation to Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Center.  

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Education and Training

The Indian Nursing Council now includes a 20 hour mandatory module on Palliative Care for the UG Nursing Curriculum

IAPC’s CCEPC Update: Last date for applications extended to 4^th July, 2022

Register before 31^st July, 2022, to enrol for the NFPM and NFPN, offered jointly by IPM and the CMAI

Register for the Health Assistant Training Program, offered by Karunashraya

The DSCOG Meeting advocates for the seamless amalgamation of palliative medicine into oncology

Workshop on ‘Handling Difficult Communication in an advanced illness setting’ was conducted successfully by KMC, Manipal, on 14^th June, 2022

A Virtual Research Library focussing on LMICs launched

Update from IAPC ACADEMY: Report on activities in June

Update from IAPC ACADEMY: Sessions planned for July

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Awards and Recognitions

Dr Sushma Bhatnagar is now the Chief of Dr B.R.A IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi and Head, NCI, Jhajjar

Dr E Divakaran bestowed with the ‘Best Doctor Award: Voluntary Sector’, by Kairali Television

Sparsh Hospice receives the ‘Spirit of Humanity Award’ from Americares India Foundation

Dr Gauraiya Chinchalkar, Dr Rucha Patil and Dr Shamali Poojary receive the ASCO Foundation’s ‘International Development and Education Award-Palliative Care’

Dr Jyothsna Kuriakose, awarded the ‘Best Outgoing Student Award (2021)’, by the Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai

Ms Anu Savio Thelly, Dr Latha A and Ms Sangeetha N, are this year’s Lantern Scholars from India

Dr Chitra Venkateswaran delivered an excellent TEDx talk on ‘How Palliative Care can change the way we practice medicine?’

‘Karun Sparsh’, a free palliative and home care service launched in Chandigarh, on 30^th May, 2022

CanSupport and the Suri Seva Foundation jointly launch the ‘Pritpal CanSupport Home Palliative Care Service’, at Jamshedpur on 1^st June, 2022

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Interesting Reads

IAPC’s Exclusive Articles

1. My father’s journey with Brain Cancer: from DGM to GBM, Ms. Krithika S. and Ms. Sharanya S., Bengaluru, in observance of World Brain Tumour Day (8^th June)
2. Elder Abuse and Palliative care: The time to act is now!, Dr. Anish S, Thrissur, in acknowledgement of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15^th June)
3. Palliative Care in Sickle Cell disease, Dr. Pankaj Singhai and Dr. Swati Patel Jain, Indore, in commemoration of World Sickle Cell Awareness Day (19^th June)
4. Yoga – The Calm amidst the chaos in the life of a palliative care recipient, Ms Sreekala Sunderrajan, Bengaluru, in joint celebration of World Sauntering Day (19^th June) and International Day of Yoga (21^st June)

Other Compelling reads

1. ‘Walk with the Weary’ by Dr M R Rajagopal – A book review by Ms Sindhu S, a republication from e hospice (India)
2. ‘Palliative Psychiatry: Symptom remission is not the primary goal’, by Dr Chitra Venkateswaran, a republication from IAHPC.
3. ‘How to Address Sexuality and Intimacy with People Living with a Serious Illness’, by Anne Kelemen and Hunter Groninger, a republication from Center to Advance Palliative Care.

Other upcoming events

Submit abstracts to the ‘National Conference for Children’s Palliative Care Malaysia 2022’, before 31^st July, 2022

Registrations are open for the IASP’s ‘The 2022 World Congress on Pain’, 19^th – 23^rd September, 2022

Submit abstracts for the ‘EAPC’s 18^th World Congress’, before 15^th October, 2022

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To offer help and support during challenging times

1. ‘Saath Saath Helpline’: Your Palliative Care helpline – 1800-202-7777
2. Bereavement support India: https://www.bereavementsupportindia.co.in/
3. Telehealth Consultation (Pallium India): https://palliumindia.org/2021/06/telehealth-consultation
4. Caregiver Saathi: https://caregiversaathi.co.in/index.php
5. National Helpline for Psychosocial and Mental health support offered by The MoHFW, GoI and NIMHANS: 080-46110007 (If you are a health care worker, please press 5 when prompted after dialing the above number to access a direct and dedicated line for healthcare workers)