The Other One – Dr Jewell Joseph, Vellore “There is no one in the world, other than your siblings, who knows what it’s like to have been raised the way you were.” In many ways, the sibling bond is unique. It encompasses the comfort of family, the freshness of friendship and the spirit of rivalry.…
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The Joy of practicing Palliative Care – Dr Pankaj Chowdhary, Siliguri Following my house-job in Radiotherapy, I decided to pursue my professional career in Oncology. My professor immediately warned me of the paucity of work in 1986 – 87. Despite the challenges in technology (limited availability of CT scans, radiotherapy equipment and planning aids) and…
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Unveiling the layers of Inequity: Racism and Discrimination in Healthcare – Palliative Care Nurse, India Racism and discrimination in healthcare in India are complex issues which are intertwined with several factors such as caste, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, language barriers, regional disparities etc. Social hierarchy, caste, and creed, significantly affect an individual’s life and their…
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Empowering Lives Through Education: The Role of the Academy of Palliative Medicine in India – Ms Asha Albuquerque Pai, Manipal Education is a powerful tool that can transform lives. On the International Day of Education, celebrated annually on January 24th, we reflect on the importance of knowledge in shaping a brighter future for all. It…
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Palliative Care on ground, on air, and everywhere! – Mr Umesh Pandey, Siliguri The one thing that I always craved for was to be able to make people smile and make them feel special and happy. Though I am not a philanthropist, I try to fulfil my desires through my role as a Radio Jockey…
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Nurturing Intrinsic Self-Worth: A Personal Reflection on Larry’s Inspiring Journey – Ms Sheena Jacob, Canada In the realm of healthcare, professionals often grapple with grief in the face of patient suffering. Palliative care workers, in particular, navigate this delicate balance of constantly confronting patient loss and contending with unprocessed grief. The toll of this on…
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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 – 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 – 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 – 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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