Role of Pediatric Palliative Care and Down’s Syndrome

Role of Pediatric Palliative Care and Down’s Syndrome – Dr. Mohammad Ishak and Dr Spandana Rayala, Hyderabad Down’s syndrome or Trisomy 21 is a genetic disorder caused due to the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. It occurs in approximately 1 in 830 live births, manifested at birth through characteristic physical features. In…

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Reflections from a palliative care volunteer counsellor

Reflections from a palliative care volunteer counsellor – Ms. Madhu Juneja, New Delhi Context: This article is based on my personal experiences while working with patients and their families in a hospital setting, as both, a mental health volunteer counsellor and a palliative care volunteer. I feel that this role provides me with a unique…

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Equitable Palliative Care

Equitable Palliative Care – Dr. Joris Gielen, Pittsburgh, USA March 21 has been marked by the United Nations as the “International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.” When people commonly reflect upon racial discrimination, they often think in the first place about instances in which people openly deny other people goods, services, or job…

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Social Justice and Palliative Care

Social Justice and Palliative Care – Ms. Anu Savio Thelly, Pondicherry The theme for ‘World Day of Social Justice’ 2023 is “Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice”. Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. It refers to ensuring justice regarding the equal distribution of…

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Women of Substance in Palliative Medicine

Women of Substance in Palliative Medicine – Dr. Vidya Viswanath, Vishakapatnam International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, mobilize resources and political will to address global problems, and celebrate and reinforce the achievements of humanity. ‘International Day of Women and Girls in Science’ began as a resolution by the…

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Human Fraternity – “Fellow Travelers, Sharing the Same Flesh”

Human Fraternity – “Fellow Travelers, Sharing the Same Flesh” – Dr. Odette Spruijt, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia February 4th was the International Day of Human Fraternity. This day was first established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 21st, 2020, (resolution 75/200) as a way to promote greater cultural and religious tolerance. It was inspired…

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A few reflections from my diary

A few reflections from my diary – Dr. Gayatri Palat, Hyderabad As the ‘International Day of Women in Multilateralism’ celebrates the role played by women in the promotion of human rights, peace and sustainable development within the multilateral system, I salute the women in the world of palliative care who are increasingly holding key decision-making…

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Let me live, before the last evening of my life…

Let me live, before the last evening of my life… – Dr. Arkanil Gain, New Delhi People say that Human life is one of nature’s most beautiful creations. From inception, we have run through miles after miles and traverse endless dimensions of space and time, to make a mark on this earth, and, to make…

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Impact of Palliative Care on the Spirituality of the Healthcare Provider

Impact of Palliative Care on the Spirituality of the Healthcare Provider – Ms Sarada Lingaraju, Hyderabad Working in a palliative care centre or an end-of-life care centre is often viewed as a very ‘special kind of work’ by the society. Though many ‘choose’ to work in this field for ‘a career’, the community often interprets…

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HIV/AIDS – Still stuck in the past

HIV/AIDS – Still stuck in the past – Dr. Sreedevi Warrier, Thiruvananthapuram 1981. The year when the monster of Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) started surfacing and wreaking havoc in the lives and minds of people. Little did we know that it was just the beginning of a global epidemic which continues even today.…

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