In Memoriam: Professor Akram Lal (1939 – 2025)

I feel sad that Dr Akram Lal is no more with us! Of course, his memories still linger on vividly. We three; Dr Akram Lal, Dr K Pandey and myself were together for a long time in the field of medicines; firstly, Anaesthesiology, then Pain Management and finally in Palliative Care. We were deeply involved with the development of ISA, ISSP and IAPC.

After establishing a Hospice at Ahmedabad in 1988, I became very active in the field of Palliative Care. I discussed the idea of founding the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) with Dr Pandey and Dr Akram; we had meetings at Trivandrum and Varanasi and drafted the Bylaws of IAPC. Finally, the IAPC was registered in Ahmedabad on 16th March 1994.

We had a proper function at Varanasi and termed it as the first Internal Conference on Palliative Care. We had the second IAPCON at Ahmedabad in 1995. It was a big get-together and a great success! We had foreign representatives and also the involvement of WHO. Dr Akram Lal was the Vice President of the IAPC during this period and his enthusiasm made a tremendous difference in the quality of presentations. I am putting a picture here; three of us standing and smiling with a triumph along with Ms Gilly Burn of the UK. The Trio! Dr Keshav left earlier, Akram has gone now and I am left alone. However, I am satisfied that we established the foundations of new medical streams in India. Long live the IAPC!

I pray to the Almighty to grant SADGATI to the departed soul!

A TRIDENT is a potent weapon with three prongs! Dr Keshav Pandey, Dr Akram Lal and Dr M T Bhatia together make a medical Trident! They had three powers; Anaesthesia, Pain Management and Palliation. And they utilised these talents in developing three medical associations in India; ISA, ISSP and IAPC. Factually speaking, they became instrumental in founding the ISSP and the IAPC, not only that; they nurtured it too well!

I became curious about Palliative Care way back in late 1980s, familiarized by attending an IAPCON at Kozhikode in 1998 along with Dr M T Bhatia and became active after 2005. This is the subject which is at my heart and I have heard many stories about the IAPC from Dr Bhatia. These three people contributed immensely in the first decade of the IAPC; Dr Rajgopal also joined later. Dr Akram Lal served in the Editorial Board of IJPC till 2001. They formulated various training programmes to spread the knowledge of Palliative Care among doctors, nurses, and others. The IAPC is really indebted to them for their herculean efforts in giving an excellent start to this new branch of medicines in India. Here is the picture of Dr Akram Lal speaking at the second IAPCON at Ahmedabad in 1995.

The sad demise of Dr Akram Lal is a great loss to the IAPC; we lost one more pioneer. However, it is a matter of great satisfaction that a huge infrastructure of the IAPC has come up on the foundation which they created. Let us build it further: that will be a rightful tribute to Dr Akram Lal.

As a Young Radiation Oncologist who developed a keen interest in Palliative Care, it was the greatest priviledge to attend the 1st Palliative Care conference in India and be inspired by doyens in the field. I was so impressed with the dedication and commitment of Seniors in the field, one of them being Prof. akram Lal.

I am so happy that the last 30 years of my career in Palliative Medicine were because of the inspiration provided by the early leaders.

May his soul rest in Eternal peace.

I served in the Department of Anaesthesia, The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute (GCRI), Ahmedabad since its inception in 1972. Dr MT Bhatia had been the Head of the Department. It was the most developing department in Western India, with many “Firsts” to its credit like establishment the first Pain Clinic, ICU set up & Morphine for Cancer Pain Management. Formation of ISSP and IAPC were the most highlighted events of late 1980s and mid-1990s.

It seemed to me that Ahmedabad and Varanasi are twin cities, because, the doyens like Dr Keshav Pandey and Dr Akram Lal from BHU, Varanasi used to come often and discuss various issues of Pain Management and Palliative Care. I remember Dr Akram Lal as the most promising personality, actively involved in ISA, ISSP and IAPC. His dedication was infectious, bringing more young people into this field.

The sad demise of Dr Akram Lal has caused a vacuum in the field of Palliative Care. However; I am sure, his work will keep inspiring us all for many years to come. May God bless his soul!

Professor Akram Lal was my teacher during my MD at the Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU Varanasi. We, the postgraduate students, used to approach him with our academic problems and he always either solved the issues or advised us properly. He was a soft spoken gentleman, always kind to students.

Dr K Pandey and Dr Akram Lal were good friends, though the former was his teacher during his PG days. Sir helped me and Dr V Rastogi in starting Pain OPD and later helped us to form ISSP during its first meeting in 1983 under the Chairmanship of Prof Katiyar, the Head of Neurology. He also helped Dr V Rastogi to organize the first ISSPCON in 1984. Later he formed IASP in Varanasi and organized the first conference for which Dr MT Bhatia and myself were invited. Dr Akram Lal was the Editor of IJA and President of ISA. I remember him fondly for helping the formation of city branches of ISA and ISSP in Varanasi. Later I moved to MGIMS, Wardha and on his advice, we organized ISSPCON 1985 in Nagpur.

Later, we became friends and both the families used to plan vacations together. The vacation we spent together in Srinagar is one of the most memorable times in my life.

I used to visit him at his home until 2019 as he was not in good health.

Our prayers for a high abode in heaven for the departed soul! His pleasant Memories will always linger in our thoughts!

I was shocked to learn about the sad demise of our senior colleague Prof Akram Lal. I had a long association with him for more than forty years. He was an excellent teacher, an academician, a researcher and a leader in the field of Anaesthesiology, Pain Management and Palliative Care. This solemn tribute is for our Great Guru from his student and faculty members of the Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU Varanasi.

I was invited to IMS almost every year as a faculty for examinations and, conferences, guest lectures and as a member of the University Board of Faculty of Medical Sciences -BHU, till Covid time.

Prof Akram Lal will be remembered for his contribution to Anaesthesiology, Pain Medicine and Palliative Care. His Wisdom, farsightedness and courage shall always keep us guiding in all our endeavours! May God bless his soul!

I joined the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI), Ahmedabad in 1983. Dr. M. T. Bhatia was the Head of the Anaesthesia Department. Therefore, I am an eyewitness to the movement to start Pain and Palliative Care in India, which was led by Dr. Keshav Pandey, Dr. Akram Lal, and Dr. M.T. Bhatia. In 1987, many “Training of Trainers Programmes” (TTPs) were held across India in collaboration with WHO.

Two institutes were actively involved in these trainings: the Department of Anaesthesia, GCRI, and the Department of Anaesthesia, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. As a lecturer in the former department, I witnessed leaders like Dr. Keshav Pandey, Dr. M. T. Bhatia, Dr. Akram Lal, and Dr. Virendra Rastogi working with WHO representatives to initiate the acceptance and spread of Palliative Care in India. I also witnessed the formation of IAPC at Varanasi and its subsequent registration in Ahmedabad in 1994.

Dr. Akram Lal was an excellent physician with an approachable personality and great dedication to Anaesthesia, Pain Management, and Palliative Care. He was a backbone of ISA and one of the founding members of ISSP and IAPC. He served in various capacities in all three associations. I humbly pray that God grants sadgati to his soul to attain moksha. I am sure his legacy will continue to guide us in future endeavors in palliative care.