How Palliative Care and Dolls Helped My Father Beat the Odds and Reclaim His Spark

How Palliative Care and Dolls Helped My Father Beat the Odds and Reclaim His Spark – Ms Punita Khatter, Gurgaon My 92-year-old father, a retired army officer with two heart attacks (25% heart function), and advanced Alzheimer’s, fell critically ill in early September, 2023. He developed dysphagia, a common Alzheimer’s swallowing complication that worsened with…

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Role of Palliative Medicine Physicians in Management of HIV/AIDS: The way forward

Role of Palliative Medicine Physicians in Management of HIV/AIDS: The way forward – Dr Bhawesh Pangaria, New Delhi HIV/AIDS is one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, affecting millions of people around the world and imposing a heavy burden on individuals, families, communities, and countries. The first case of HIV was diagnosed in…

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Embracing Compassion: The Imperative Need for Palliative Care for Leprosy Patients

Embracing Compassion: The Imperative Need for Palliative Care for Leprosy Patients – Ms Y Shailaja, Jamshedpur Ms Lata (name changed), W/o Mr Rajesh (name changed), was a leprosy affected person with a 50% disability due to leprosy. On 6th March, 2023, she fell down and fractured her right femur. She was taken to MGM Medical…

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A glimpse into the world of pain and hope: Ravi’s Story

A glimpse into the world of pain and hope: Ravi’s Story – Ms Subadra O, Chennai The hustle and bustle of our daily lives makes us often forget about the silent struggles that people around us face. One such story that left an indelible mark in my heart is that of Ravi’s. Ravi is a…

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Role of Palliative Care in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Role of Palliative Care in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – Dr Rabiya Abdu Razak Malayil, New Delhi Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD is a common disease characterized by progressive airflow limitation and tissue destruction due to chronic inflammation from prolonged exposure to gases and noxious particles like cigarette smoking. It causes narrowing of the…

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A Shift in Perspective: Understanding Pain in Palliative Care

A Shift in Perspective: Understanding Pain in Palliative Care – Dr Sidhulal K, Kozhikode In the world of palliative care, pain is an unwelcome but an ever-present companion. It’s a silent scream, a relentless shadow that envelops the lives of those battling terminal illnesses. Within the delicate ecosystem of this field, the role of healthcare…

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Intersection and Role of Palliative Care in Caring for Older Persons

Intersection and Role of Palliative Care in Caring for Older Persons – Dr Pooja Dutta, New Delhi Palliative care is the holistic approach to care for people with serious illnesses, regardless of their age. It focuses on improving the quality of life for patients and their caregivers by managing symptoms, providing emotional and spiritual support,…

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How Palliative Care and Disaster Risk Reduction reinforce each other

How Palliative Care and Disaster Risk Reduction reinforce each other – Mr Harsh Vardhan Sahni, Washington DC, USA I’ll call this friend Sneha. Her wedding was my last big celebration before the Covid19 lockdown. Friends and relatives showed up wearing their finest, danced into the night, did it again the next day, and the next.…

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Palliative Care for Cardiovascular Disease

Palliative Care for Cardiovascular Disease – Dr Eric Borges, Mumbai The management of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) using Palliative Care (PC) principles is in its infancy in India and is evolving worldwide. To commemorate ‘World Heart Day’, observed on 29th September, I am presenting my approach to this very complex field.  The concept of Palliative Care was…

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