Pallium India Newsletter: January 2014

  • From: Pallium India Newsletter <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: "" <palliumindia@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 11:03:29 +0000

Pallium India
Care Beyond Cure





         

DEAR FRIENDS,

WHO ADOPTS PALLIATIVE CARE RESOLUTION 
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/01/WHO-ADOPTS-PALLIATIVE-CARE-RESOLUTION/] 

        Great news! The World Health Organization, on 23 January 2014, adopted 
a resolution which asks for integration of palliative care into health care 
systems around the world. The resolution has language that declares palliative 
care an ethical responsibility of health care professionals and of health care 
systems. It also brings in the importance of opioid access and also of 
psycho-socio-spiritual support and emphasizes its importance in many diseases 
at all stages. 

YOU CAN READ THE RESOLUTION HERE 
[HTTP://APPS.WHO.INT/GB/EBWHA/PDF_FILES/EB134/B134_R7-EN.PDF] .

        - 

ONE MORE CHANCE IN PARLIAMENT 
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/01/ONE-MORE-CHANCE-IN-PARLIAMENT/] 

        The Parliament of India is meeting one more time during the term of the 
current Government, in February. The chances of the NDPS amendment getting 
through are not bright, but we are going to have a jolly good try. All guns 
blazing! 

        - 

OUR NEW INPATIENT FACILITY 
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/01/OUR-NEW-INPATIENT-FACILITY/] 

        Our new inpatient facility housed in Arumana Hospital, Trivandrum had a 
soft launch on 3 January, 2014. It gives us great pleasure to report that this 
unit is functioning well and providing relief to people with difficult symptoms 
and for those who want to be with us at the end of their lives.

        - 

PPSG PUBLISHES 2011 OPIOID CONSUMPTION STATISTICS 
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/01/PPSG-PUBISHES-2011-OPIOID-CONSUMPTION-STATISTICS/]
 

        The Pain & Policy Studies Group (PPSG) announces its annual release of 
new and updated opioid consumption data for 2011. For India and most developing 
countries, the lack of progress is disappointing. 

        High-income countries that comprise only 17% of the total population 
accounted for nearly 92% of medical morphine consumed in the world. Low- and 
middle-income countries, representing the remaining 83% of the world’s 
population, consumed a mere 8% of the total morphine consumption. 

         Read more about the statistics here… 
[http://palliumindia.org/2014/01/ppsg-pubishes-2011-opioid-consumption-statistics/]
 .
- 

SUCCESS AT JAIPUR [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/01/SUCCESS-AT-JAIPUR/] 

         

        The first six weeks course directed by Dr Anjum Khan Joad which had 
commenced on 25 November 2013, concluded successfully at Bhagwan Mahaveer 
Cancer Hospital and research Centre, Jaipur on 04 January 2014. 11 
professionals were trained at the course. 

        Pallium India is proud to be a partner in this venture and thank the 
Jaipur team members Manoj,Sumitra, Ms Laxmi Shekhawat,Dr Shikha Jain and Dr 
Anjum Khan Joad for the opportunity. This was another venture in which Project 
Hamrahi was involved, and we thank Dr Odette Spruyt and team too. 

HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS, MANOJ, LAXMI, SHIKHA AND ANJUM.

        - 

         

BUILDING A HOSPICE IN LAKSHADWEEP – BRICK BY BRICK 
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/01/BUILDING-A-HOSPICE-IN-LAKSHADWEEP-BRICK-BY-BRICK/]
 

        Mr Maulana, a school teacher, and his many colleagues are in the 
process of building a hospice in Lakshadweep, despite the difficulties in 
finding masons and carpenters. Thanks to their determination and commitment, 
the Hospice is expected to be ready by the end of March. It will be a proud 
moment for all of us in Pallium India, when the unit is opened. 

        - 

PALLIUM INDIA- USA KICKOFF EVENT JANUARY 25, 2014

        Saroj Pathak and Dr Jerina Kapoor, writing from Pallium India – USA 
inform us of the first meeting of the year of the Pallium core group at San 
Jose, California on Saturday 25th January, 2014. 

        The meeting celebrated the award of a mini–fellowship by Stanford 
University on Successful Aging and End of Life Care, a proud achievement for 
Pallium! 

        The meeting also developed goals and strategy for 2014 for Pallium 
India – USA. Pallium India – USA’s mission statement now reads ‘Healthy Aging 
and a life with Compassionate Care and Dignity for the South Asian community 
living with serious or advanced illnesses, whether in USA or India’. 

        Participants had a wonderful opportunity to listen to a motivational 
talk by Swami Prasannatmanandaji on the subject of ‘Aging and Spirituality’. He 
shared some inspiring thoughts and there was good dialogue. Swamiji said “Don’t 
believe that you are serving others, you are privileged that they are giving 
you the opportunity to serve” 

VERY INSPIRATIONAL INDEED AND A GOOD BEGINNING FOR PALLIUM INDIA – USA FOR 2014!

        - 

NEW PALLIATIVE CARE CENTRE AT NAGERCOIL

        Pallium India is pleased to be able to work with yet another new 
palliative care centre in Tamilnadu. Mr Senthil Kumar is a volunteer who 
founded Sreeram Cancer Trust which has now started a regular palliative care 
program. Pallium India was pleased to attend the inauguration of their new 
physical facility. Ms Gilly Burn was there to light the lamp – truly dispelling 
the darkness of pain and suffering! 

        We are pleased that Ms Sukanya, the capable nurse from the organization 
is with us now in Trivandrum undergoing our six weeks course. Dr Pratheepan, 
their palliative care doctor, has already completed the course with us. 

CONGRATULATIONS, SENTHIL AND OTHER FRIENDS. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH YOU.

        - 

GLOBAL POLICY ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY FROM IPPF

        The Pain and Policy Studies Group (PPSG), a WHO Collaborating Centre at 
Madison-Wisconsin (the chairman of Pallium India is a member of PPSG’s 
International Experts Committee) developed a criteria-based evaluation 
methodology to guide a new Global Policy Analysis. 

         Improving Global Opioid Availability for Pain & Palliative Care: A 
Guide to a Pilot Evaluation of National Policy 
[http://www.painpolicy.wisc.edu/sites/www.painpolicy.wisc.edu/files/Global%20evaluation%202013.pdf]
  was funded by the Livestrong Foundation and is intended to guide and 
encourage advocates throughout the world to take the next steps to enact 
policies in their country that enhance access to pain and palliative care, 
including the use of pain medications, and minimize potential treatment 
barriers. It ishoped that such steps will lead to improved medication access 
and, ultimately, patient care. You can see the document here… 
[http://www.painpolicy.wisc.edu/sites/www.painpolicy.wisc.edu/files/Global%20evaluation%202013.pdf]
 

CONGRATULATIONS, ALL AT PPSG.

        - 

WHO AND WPCA – GLOBAL REPORT ON PALLIATIVE CARE

        Less than a week after the WHO passed its landmark resolution on 
palliative care, it joins WPCA in publishing the global report on palliative 
care – well, more on the lack of it. Highlights: 
        * 9 of 10 of the needy do not get access to palliative care. 
        * Only 20 countries have integrated palliative care into their health 
care systems. 

         See the report in “The Guardian”… 
[http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/jan/28/palliative-care-patients-developing-countries]
 

        - 

AWARD FOR PALLIUM INDIA 
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/01/AWARD-FOR-PALLIUM-INDIA/] 

        K.C Vamadevan Foundation bestowed its annual award for social 
contribution to Pallium India, in a ceremony on 20th January, 2014. We thank K 
C Vamadevan Foundation for the recognition, encouragement and support. 

        - 

SIGN THE PRAGUE CHARTER 
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/01/SIGN-THE-PRAGUE-CHARTER-2/] 

        Let us urge Governments to act to prevent needless pain and suffering 
among people with life-limiting diseases. Please sign the The Prague Charter 
urging governments to recognize access to palliative care as a human right. 

TO SIGN THE PRAGUE CHARTER, PLEASE CLICK HERE…. 
[HTTPS://SECURE.AVAAZ.ORG/EN/PETITION/THE_PRAGUE_CHARTER_RELIEVING_SUFFERING] 

        - 

PALLIATIVE MEDICOS TRAINING PROGRAM, AGAIN 
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/01/PALLIATIVE-MEDICOS-TRAINING-PROGRAM-AGAIN/] 

        Pallium India was privileged to associate with MOSC Medical College, 
Kolencheri, to conduct a two-day palliative care training program for the house 
surgeons who had just started on their one-year rotating internship. Dr 
Rajagopal, Dr Nandini and Mr Jayakrishnan spent two days with the 101 house 
surgeons and with their many mentor-faculty members. 

         Read the complete article 
[http://palliumindia.org/2014/01/palliative-medicos-training-program-again/] on 
the program, the feedback and a few interesting questions that were raised. 

        - 

CERTIFICATE COURSES IN PALLIATIVE CARE 
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/01/ANNOUNCING-CERTIFICATE-COURSES-IN-PALLIATIVE-CARE/]
 

        A four weeks’ certificate course in Pain & Palliative Care at MNJ 
Institute of Oncology, Hyderabad will be held from 03 February till 01 March 
2014. Dr. Gillian Fyles, Director, Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration- Canada, is 
going to be the external faculty for the course. Please contact 
mnj.palliative@xxxxxxxxx 

         

        Details are available at palliumindia.org/courses 
[http://palliumindia.org/courses] 

        - 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF IAPC THIS MONTH

        We look forward to meeting many of you during the 21st International 
Conference of Indian Association of Palliative Care [http://iapcon2014.in/] at 
Bhubaneswar, Orissa from 14 to 16 Feb 2014. 

        - 

TIMES OF INDIA ON PALLIATIVE CARE EFFORTS IN WEST BENGAL 
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/01/TIMES-OF-INDIA-ON-PALLIATIVE-CARE-EFFORTS-IN-WEST-BENGAL/]
 

         

        We are pleased to see the attention that Times of India has given to 
the work of Dr Sankha Suvra Mitra 
[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/state---palliative-care] , and to 
palliative care. 

        It is shameful that even after a year and 3 months after simplification 
of the Narcotic rules of West Bengal, the same is not implemented and people 
are left in pain due to unacceptable regulatory barriers. We certainly need 
public and media attention on the matter. 

        - 

LANCET ONCOLOGY WRITES ABOUT OPIOID SITUATION IN INDIA 
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/01/LANCET-ONCOLOGY-WRITES-ABOUT-OPIOID-SITUATION-IN-INDIA/]
 

        Lancet Oncology has come out with an article highlighting the serious 
situation in India regarding lack of opioid access that causes millions to be 
in needless pain. We thank the author, Dinesh Sharma, for highlighting this 
problem. You can read the article here. 
[http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(13)70600-4/fulltext
 ] 

        - 

THANK YOU MR TONY DAVASSY FOR VISITING 
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/01/THANK-YOU-MR-TONY-DAVASSY-FOR-VISITING/] 

         

        Mr Tony Devassy is the founder of “Care and Share”, a philanthropic 
organization based in USA that has been supporting Pallium India and several 
other charitable organizations in many ways. 

THANK YOU MR TONY DEVASSY FOR VISITING US IN TRIVANDRUM.

        - 

PARTING SHOT

         

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUNSHINE!

        Sunshine Mugrabi, Pallium India’s volunteer in the Bay area in 
California, wants to celebrate her birthday by finding funding for nursing 
education of a girl in Trivandrum, Kerala, India. The girl’s father is one of 
Pallium India’s patients, and the girl’s education is the one chance for saving 
the family. 

        IN LESS THAN 2 DAYS, THE DONATIONS CROSSED $600. Please see the 
fundraiser that Sunshine has set up here 
[http://www.crowdrise.com/SunshineBirthday/fundraiser/sunshinemugrabi] .

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  • » Pallium India Newsletter: January 2014 - Pallium India Newsletter