Humanity: The greatest celebration – Ms Nirmala Nair, Alappuzha “May no one feel forgotten in their suffering“ This Eid… my heart is with Hamsa. It was during a home care visit with Alpha Palliative Care Mathilakam Centre that I met him. Dr. Jose, Sister Sheeja, and the rest of our team stood beside a man…
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The Death of Ivan Ilyich: A Literary Mirror to Palliative Care – Ms Keshav Sharma, New Delhi How a 138-year-old novel remains the most accurate map of dying I have encountered in my clinical practice! In 2026, I sat across from a 52-year-old man dying of pancreatic cancer in a private hospital in a metropolitan…
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Moments That Matter: A Caregiver Animation by BHT–Karunashraya – Ms Sangeetha N. Bengaluru In palliative care, compassion extends beyond clinical settings—it lives within homes, in the hands of families caring for their loved ones. Yet, one question continued to surface in our daily work at Bangalore Hospice Trust – Karunashraya, Bengaluru. What happens when care…
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Beyond the Clinical Gaze – A Psychology Student’s Journey in Palliative Care – Ms Shreya Krishnan, Visakhapatnam As a psychology student, my clinical experience has primarily been rooted in psychiatric wards, where I conducted assessments and supported families through the complexities of severe mental disorders. I walked into the Department of Palliative Medicine at Homi…
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3.5 Days, 700+ Delegates: How IAPCON 2026 Evolved into a Vibrant Knowledge Hub A Note from the Scientific Chair – Dr Praneeth Suvvari, Hyderabad Hello everyone. It has been more than a month since we wrapped up the 33rd International Conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPCON 2026) in Hyderabad but we are…
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From Pain To Progress: A Rehabilitation Journey After Carcinoma Buccal Mucosa Surgery – Dr Suman Chauhan, Jodhpur Head and neck cancers and their surgical treatment frequently leave patients with lasting functional impairments that extend well beyond the immediate post-operative period. Reduced mouth opening, shoulder dysfunction, persistent musculoskeletal pain, and muscle spasm are among the most…
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Beyond the Hospital: A Nurse’s Vision for Community-Led Palliative Care in India – Ms Meheli Chakraborty, West Bengal “You matter because you are you.” The words of Dame Cicely Saunders are a powerful reminder of our value as nurses. Our worth is not just to ourselves, but to the community we serve. With qualifications as…
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IAPCON 2026: Thoughtfully Reimagining the Conference Experience – Dr Raju SKV, Hyderabad IAPCON 2026, to be held in Hyderabad, represents a thoughtfully reimagined conference experience for the palliative care community. Organised by Sparsh Hospice, Hyderabad and Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, the IAPCON 2026 is a conscious attempt to reimagine how we…
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Palliative Care in Indian Oncology: Between Light and Shadow – Dr. Ravi Kiran Pothamsetty, Madurai Timing matters in oncology and palliative care In the corridors of Indian oncology wards, I have often found myself reflecting on a question with no easy answer: “when should palliative care begin?” Should it start immediately after a cancer diagnosis,…
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A Journey of the Heart: How Palliative Care Training Changed the Way I See Volunteering – Ms. Shashikala Devanesen, Chennai As a volunteer from Dean Foundation, Chennai. I had the great privilege of participating in the online Volunteers Training Programme conducted by IAPC from 20-25 November 2025. When I signed up for the Foundation Course…
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