They Lifted Her When Others Would Not – Dr Chhaya Chandrasekhar, New Delhi Usha died quietly. But the silence around her was full of questions. I had watched her illness in pieces, a young woman with cancer of the buccal mucosa, never treated, growing weaker because poverty kept closing doors. Her husband, already disabled, moved…
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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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The Paradox of Nursing Visibility in Community-Based Palliative Care – Ms. Anu Savio Thelly, Abu Dhabi Despite being the backbone of community-based palliative care, nurses remain largely invisible in global advocacy and discourse, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While nurses are often the primary providers of palliative care at the grassroots level, policy…
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Upholding Dignity in Healthcare – Dr. Lipika Patra, Meerut Every person holds intrinsic worth, regardless of background, achievement, or social standing. In clinical encounters, patients often feel vulnerable, anxious, or afraid. In our daily practice, unconscious biases can often slip quietly into our work. Patients familiar to us may unintentionally receive preference, while those from…
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Kavita’s Journey of Hope – Dr. Suman Chauhan, Jodhpur Kavita, a 40-year-old woman, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. Hailing from Gujarat she settled in jodhpur after her marriage. She lives with her husband and her daughter, a 19-year girl, who is now in college. For Kavita, her daughter has been a constant source…
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Touching Lives through Palliative Care – Ms. Maya Nair, Indore When I look back on my life, I see a journey shaped by compassion and discipline. In 1989, I stepped into the Operation Theatre (OT) as a young nurse, and for more than 32 years, it was my world. The sounds of instruments, the sterile…
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The Hands That Heal: My Journey in Palliative Care – Ms Deepika Suryavanshi, Bilaspur My journey in nursing began at Jan Swasthya Sahyog, Ganyari, Bilaspur, where I completed my GNM nursing studies. After finishing my course in 2022, I was posted in the surgical OPD, and was dedicated to attending patients with care and compassion.…
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My Journey into Palliative Care: A Path of Compassion – Ms Maheshwari Frawel, Bilaspur I completed my General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) training at Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS) in 2022 and shortly after began my career as a staff nurse at the same institute. One day, our supervisor asked if anyone was interested in pursuing…
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The Common Man of Healthcare – Dr Asha Deshmukh, Nasik This is about George, my cousin. George and I grew up in different cities and only met during summer holidays. In that little time that we spent together, I noticed how George’s voice seemed like sunshine and how wise and gentle he was to everyone…
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