From Paper to Patients: Why India must put Palliative Care Policies into Practice – Ms. Smriti Rana, Thiruvananthapuram Only 4% of India’s population has access to palliative care. Many of the right ideas have already been written into policies: the National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC, 2012), the National Health Policy (2017) that recognizes palliative…
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Clinical Therapeutic Communication (CTC) in Oncology: Translating Pain into Perspective – Dr. Ravi Kiran Pothamsetty, Madurai In the world of oncology, words are not merely tools for conveying information — they are instruments of healing. Whether it’s the moment a diagnosis is shared, a quiet reassurance offered to an anxious caregiver, or the heavy silence…
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The Language of Care: Evolving Palliative Nursing to Meet Universal Challenges – Ms. Anu Savio Thelly, United Arab Emirates Palliative care nursing must develop a “public” language—one free from the technical jargon of our profession and designed for open conversations about the universal problems faced by our society. This shift is not just a matter…
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Realising compassion in people and communities: A step towards universal access to palliative care – Ms. Heather Richardson, London Introduction This paper originally had the title “Empowering people and compassionate communities.” I love the sentiment, and it would have been easy to put pen to paper, writing in an enthusiastic way about ideas to help…
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World Hospice & Palliative Care Day 2025 – Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care – Dr. Stephen Connor, Virginia, USA This year we celebrate the 20th anniversary of World Hospice & Palliative Care Day (World Day). What started as ‘Voices for Hospice’ concerts around the world turned into a day to recognise hospice…
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Brain tumours: Care, even when there is no cure – Dr. Smriti Khanna, Mumbai A 6-month-old orphan child got admitted with poor cry and progressive decrease in leg movements. He was admitted to the ICU and needed to be put on a ventilator because of worsening drowsiness and difficulty breathing. An MRI revealed a large…
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At the Heart of Care: The Expanding Scope of Palliative Care Nurses in Humanitarian Settings – Ms. Erin Das, Nairobi, Kenya This article was written with support and input from colleagues working in a refugee camp in Kenya, Annalice Otoro and Ali Abdullahi Khamis, whose insights from the field continue to inform and inspire efforts…
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Safeguarding the Forgotten: Palliative Care as a Response to Elder Mistreatment – Mr. Avtar Singh Cheema, Chandigarh Elder abuse is a silent yet deeply troubling crisis that affects millions worldwide, including India’s aging population. It refers to any intentional act—or failure to act—that causes harm or places an older adult at risk. Abuse can take…
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Embracing Compassion in Palliative Care – Mr. Sandeep Singh, Bathinda I began my professional journey as a Nursing Officer in various private hospitals across Punjab, working in departments such as the Emergency Ward, ICU, and General Ward. During this time, I cared for many cancer patients. Yet, despite this experience, I had never come across…
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The Final Embrace: What the Pope’s Last Journey Teaches Us About the Role of Nurses in End-of-Life Care – Ms Sangeetha Murugan, Bengaluru “Thank you for bringing me back to the Square.” — Pope Francis, to his nurse and healthcare assistant, Massimiliano Strappetti In the stillness of his final hours, Pope Francis offered a simple…
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