From Jodhpur to Barmer: Bridging Care with Compassion – Mr Jagdish Prajapati, Jodhpur Mrs. Jyoti Devi (name changed), a 47-year-old woman, was diagnosed with carcinoma cervix in 2023. She first visited AIIMS Jodhpur, Rajasthan, on 20th December 2023, where she received treatment in the Departments of Radiotherapy and Surgical Oncology. During the course of her…
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Against All Odds: A Child’s Journey to Safe and Dignified Care – The Team PRPCS, Hyderabad Uday (name changed) was born into a financially challenged family, bringing with him hopes and dreams, as the birth of any first child so often does. However, these hopes were soon tested when he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy,…
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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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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…
Read MoreFrom 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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My journey with palliative care so far: Reflections of a young nurse – Mr Samim Reja Biswas, Bengaluru Beginning My Career in Palliative Care When I joined Karunashraya, I did not have a clear idea of what palliative care involved in practical terms. Like many healthcare professionals, my understanding was limited to basic definitions learned…
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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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