Pallium India
Care Beyond Cure
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
! January 2019 !
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
https://palliumindia.org/?p=8505
January 1, 2019
Dear Friend, "
“Hope is the thing with feathers,
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.”
– Emily Dickinson"
As we wind up what can only be described as an exacting year full of
intense experiences – both joyful and otherwise – there is no doubt that there
remains much to be done.
Perhaps the most dramatic and heartbreaking event was the flooding that
Kerala experienced – the worst in a century. Thousands of lives were forever
altered. But from the tumult and chaos arose something even more powerful –
people coming together to rescue and restore their fellow human beings. The
outpouring of courage and compassion from laypeople, fishermen, communities,
state authorities reinstated the immense potency of people working together
towards something good. It also brought to the forefront the need for
palliative care services to be integrated into disaster management, where
already vulnerable families are left on the brink of complete annihilation
after a calamity. Our work here is long term and as we write this, efforts to
restore some semblance of wellbeing to illness-ravaged families in the
aftermath of the flood are still ongoing in full swing.
We moved house. Again! We were previously located in a rented building
in the middle of the city. Dr. Thaha (Founder of PMS Dental College at
Vattappara) very generously offered us a whole floor free of cost, allowing us
to save on rent, and we are now about 25 kilometers from the city centre, at VP
XIII/80, Golden Hills, Venkode P.O., Vattappara, Thiruvananthapuram-695028.
Thank you, Dr Thaha!
New relationships have been forged across India, and efforts were made
across 24 states and 4 Union Territories, of which we now have collaborative
work happening in 18 States and 2 Union Territories. More than 50 sensitization
programs, Continuous Medical Education (CME) and Continuous Nursing Education
(CNE) sessions were conducted through various projects under our flagship.
Four years after the NDPS Act was amended, we continue to conduct
Opioid Availability Workshops in a bid to raise awareness and educate
stakeholders about access to and the balanced use of opioids. 4 such workshops
took place in 2018 in Wardha, Patna, Lucknow and Aizawl in Mizoram with the
relevant government officials in attendance.
International collaborations remain a cornerstone in the palliative
care community. Our colleagues from other countries have, as always, been
committed to assisting us in bringing quality education to our country. 25
workshops were conducted by international faculty in 2018, including Dr. Robert
Twycross in Guwahati & Shillong, Ms. Gilly Burn in Shillong, Pondicherry,
Ahemdabad, Anand, Surat, Wardha and Nagpur, Dr. Odette Spruijit & Ms. Mary
Duffy twice in Patna, Dr. Christine Drummond & Maite Urbite in Agartala.
The depth and scope of palliative care lends itself beautifully to
alliances across spheres, and we are so proud to have built a new bridge via a
Ten-day foundation training conducted in Silchar, Assam for the para military
forces of Assam Rifles under the NEAAC project – North Eastern Alliance Against
Cancer.
Under the National program for Palliative Care, and in collaboration
with the National Health Mission, doctors and nurses were trained in Uttar
Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Mizoram.
This year we also ventured with more focus into the arena of gender
inequity in healthcare. 80% of caregivers globally are women. In our own
country, women tend to access healthcare services far less frequently than men,
and when they do, oftentimes they are denied appropriate care. With invaluable
assistance from FOMAA (Federation of Malayalees Association of Americas), we
are now reaching out to these marginalized women with care and opportunities.
We organized a one-day workshop – ‘Samarppanam 2018’ on 1st December 2018 where
women caregivers had an opportunity to speak openly about their challenges and
participate in planning activities. A documentary, “Support – a different
story” was filmed to showcase this issue.
With support from Mobility International USA’s (MIUSA) Women’s
Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD), we embarked on yet another new
and vital journey – a project to empower women in health crisis. A one-day
workshop was organized on the 15th of December 2018 to empower women with
disabilities, one of the most marginalized communities. Here we talked and
learned about Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act 2016 of India, and
women’s rights in general with particular focus on sexual and reproductive
health. 19 women with different types of disabilities attended the workshop
which created a unique opportunity for them to interact to each other and learn
from each other.
The ethic of Autonomy means so much more than the right to
self-determination. We as civil society need to create avenues where
self-determination can be made possible. The old, rather outdated adage goes
that women wait to be rescued by a prince who slays monsters. The new reality
is that all we have to do is hand her the right weapons that she may slay them
herself. When we empower our women, we empower whole communities.
In very heartening international news, more than a 100 countries were
involved in the Astana Declaration from the World Health Organisation, where
palliative care was recognized as an essential part of Universal Health
Coverage. The Astana Declaration asks healthcare systems to involve
communities, not only as partners but also handing over some control to them.
Ahead of Universal Health Coverage Day on 12th December 2018, several
awareness programs and a press meet took place, followed by one major event on
11th December 2018 in collaboration with the Govt Medical College, Trivandrum.
Two luminaries – Shri Keshav Desiraju, the former principal health secretary of
Govt of India and the architect of the National Program for Palliative
Care(NPPC) and Shri S M Vijayanand, former Chief Secretary of Kerala Govt
chaired the panel discussions and audience interaction. Mr Rajeev Sadanandan,
Additional Chief Secretary & head of executive of health department in Kerala
gave the key note address.
A break from normal activities saw the film ‘Hippocratic – 18
Experiments in Gently Shaking the World’ go on tour across many cities in
Australia, Canada, USA, U.K, South Africa & Uganda.
The creation of Mike and Sue Hill of Moonshine Agency, Australia,
‘Hippocratic’ was a project they embarked on after travelling the world and
meeting palliative care experts in every corner. When they expressed their wish
to make a full-length feature based on the narrative of Dr. Raj, we felt both
grateful and privileged. Within India, as a part of the awareness campaign, the
film was screened in 11 cities, creating awareness about palliative care
amongst the general public, collaborating with local NGOs and government
officials for better accessibility of opioids and palliative care services, and
encouraging participation from both medical professionals and volunteers to
contribute to building palliative care in communities.
Through this tour we also engaged urban audiences who hitherto were
largely unaware of what palliative care truly entailed, or held common
misconceptions about it. The film was warmly received and a very happy side
effect was a coming together of different palliative care providers in several
cities. Palliative care can be a bridge across sectors engaged in humanitarian
service. We have so much in common and we are so much stronger together. We
hope that this building of bridges continues across spheres in a country that
has numerous organisations doing commendable work, but tend to work
fragmentally.
We would like to remember all those who made the transition from life
into death in 2018, and what they taught us along the way – they have been our
greatest teachers.
To the families that have lost loved ones – we stand with you in your
continuing grief.
To our partners, contributors and collaborators – our deepest gratitude
for walking with us down this often thorny path, along which we intend to sow
seeds of hope and compassion.
As we stand at the threshold of a new year, with shining new
possibilities, we wish you and yours health in its true sense, courage to be a
voice for the voiceless and a light in the darkness.
_(This note has been prepared by Pallium India’s trustee, Smriti
Rana.)_
–
PALLIATIVE CARE IS IN THE VERY DEFINITION OF UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE, SO WHY
WAIT?
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/PALLIATIVE-CARE-IS-IN-THE-VERY-DEFINITION-OF-UNIVERSAL-HEALTH-COVERAGE-SO-WHY-WAIT/]
_Sumitha T. S., Project Officer, Pallium India, writes:_
Universal Health Coverage day was observed across the world on 12 Dec
2018. To commemorate this day, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram
and Pallium India Trust organized a workshop on 11th December, titled
“Palliative Care & Universal Health Coverage in Kerala – The Way Forward, Call
for Action Based on Astana Declaration”.
The workshop was led by eminent personalities like Shri Rajeev
Sadanandan IAS (Additional Chief Secretary, MoH&FW, Kerala), Shri Kesav
Desiraju IAS (Former Principal Secretary, MoH&FW, GoI), Shri SM Vijayanand IAS
(Former Chief Secretary, Kerala), Dr TK Sundari Ravindran (Former Professor,
AMCHSS, SCTIMST), Shri Narayanan Puthukudy (General Secretary, IAPC-Kerala), Dr
Thomas Mathew (Principal, Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram) and Dr M.R
Rajagopal (Chairman, Pallium India). Although it was a hartal day in
Thiruvananthapuram district, more than 150 participants managed to join the
workshop which calls out loudly the importance given to palliative care by our
civil society.
The discussion began with emphasizing the need to include palliative
care in primary health care and then moved on to a wide array of components. A
few important points were the life cycle approach of Ardram mission,
requirement of human resource and capacity building in palliative care
delivery, absence of palliative care package in the new public health insurance
scheme, absence of palliative care training in medical, nursing and allied
health sciences, a monitoring agency to look into the implementation,
synergizing with various departments for effective implementation, importance
of initiating and delivering paediatric palliative care services,
implementation of Clinical Establishment Act, gender disparity in accessing,
care givers’ plight and disability that also includes disability arising due to
mental health issues.
Developing a pool of volunteers at state level and student volunteers
was also suggested as community engagement in National Health Policy 2017 was
reinforced through Astana Declaration. Although Indian Constitution regards
improvement of public health as state’s primary duty, we spend less that 1% of
our GDP for public health expenditure. According to Lancet Commission Report,
minimum cost per capita for palliative care service delivery ranges from $ 115
to $ 694.
The program concluded with a declaration to take palliative care
forward in Kerala. This declaration will be submitted to government of Kerala,
GoI and to all other state governments to strengthen palliative care services.
_Click here to read the declaration prepared as an outcome of this
workshop._
[https://palliumindia.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/UHC-Declaration-15-Dec-2018.pdf]
Would it be possible for us to deliver quality palliative care to all
in the near future? If not, how does India achieve UHC by 2030? Let us wait for
something good to happen but until then let us not sit idle.
–
PALLIUM INDIA IS LOOKING FOR LAND IN TRIVANDRUM
Pallium India needs 1/2 to 1 acre with good road access in Trivandrum
for its headquarters. Expression of interest invited to donate/long lease.
Please contact: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] / ;
9746746528 / 9074680883
Kindly share this among your connections.
–
26TH IAPC CONFERENCE AT KOCHI – 8, 9, 10 FEB 2019
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/10/26TH-IAPC-CONFERENCE-AT-KOCHI/]
[http://www.iapconkochi2019.com/] ;
The 26th International Conference of Indian Association of Palliative
Care – IAPCONKochi2019 [http://www.iapconkochi2019.com/] – will be held on 8TH, ;
9TH AND 10TH FEBRUARY 2019 (with a Pre-Conference Workshop on 7th February
2019) at AELI HILLS, KEEZHMADU, ALUVA, ERNAKULAM, KERALA, INDIA.
The Conference theme “VOICES IN PALLIATIVE CARE; ENSURING QUALITY,
CREATING SOLUTIONS” centres around the core palliative care attitude of
listening…to those living with serious health-related suffering and their
families, to our communities, to our palliative care teams, to global
palliative care advocates and to our policy and academic leaders.
To Register and for more information, please visit the conference
website: http://www.iapconkochi2019.com/ [http://www.iapconkochi2019.com/] ;
Follow IAPCONKochi2019 on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/iapconkochi2019/ ;
[https://www.facebook.com/iapconkochi2019/] ;
–
VIDEO OF THE MONTH: A CALENDAR FEATURING 12 SUPERWOMEN!
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/BUY-THIS-CALENDAR-FEATURING-12-SUPERWOMEN/]
[https://www.facebook.com/Swargafoundationcbe/videos/im-special-calendar-2019/2344639452457571/]
If there is one wall calendar or desk calendar that you want to buy for the new
year, let it be this one.
12 real women of substance are featured in each month. 12 superwomen
who overcame disabilities to make this world a better place for the
differently-abled.
To order your copy, please write to swargafoundation1@xxxxxxxxx
[mailto:swargafoundation1@xxxxxxxxx] or call +91 73977 00482 or +91 88709 ;
55111.
Cost ₹300/- (plus shipping). Delivery within Coimbatore will be free of
cost.
Any profit out of the sale of this calendar will go towards support of
the differently abled through Swarga foundation, Coimbatore.
To know more about Swarga Foundation, visit www.swargafoundation.org
[http://www.swargafoundation.org/] . ;
–
REQUEST TO DONATE ASSISTIVE DEVICES
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/REQUEST-TO-DONATE-ASSISTIVE-DEVICES/]
If you have an assistive device like walker, wheelchair etc. which is
no longer in use, and if it is in or around Trivandrum, please let us know.
These devices can be of immense value to a lot of people who cannot to afford a
new one.
Contact us: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] or ;
+91-9746745497.
Please note: Unless they are in good condition it may not be worthwhile
our accepting them. Sorry!
If you are not in Trivandrum, please contact your nearest palliative
care centre so that somebody can make use of it.
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WORKSHOP ON EMPOWERING WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/WORKSHOP-ON-EMPOWERING-WOMEN-WITH-DISABILITIES/]
“Imagine if all the flowers in the world were of the same colour and
shape – how boring it would be! What makes the world a beautiful place is the
presence of so many different kinds of flowers – of all shapes and colours and
types. Or, imagine how it would be if the fingers of our hands were alike. Each
finger serves a different purpose and each one exists for a reason. It is just
so, with human beings as well – we are all different, each one of us is unique,
each one of us is important. We serve different roles in this life – together,
we make this world a delightful place to live in.” These were the inspiring
words of Sarasu Thomas, author of stories and poems, and recipient of several
awards, who was the chief guest for concluding meeting of a workshop on
empowering differently abled women, held at Kanthari International Institute
for Social Change, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, on December 15, 2018. The
workshop was organized by Pallium India in collaboration with Mobility
International USA’s (MIUSA) Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability
(WILD).
19 differently abled women attended the program, including ten students
with hearing impairment from National Institute of Speech & Hearing (NISH),
three visually impaired students from Cotton Hill School, and six women in
wheelchair who belong to various fields. The program was also attended by
several volunteers.
Everyone actively took part in a discussion on Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (RPwD) and women’s rights, which was followed by an informative
session on sexual and reproductive health by Dr Shaliya James. Following this,
the participants were asked to spend some time pondering over their own lives
and ambitions, and later speak about them. One of the volunteers gave a class
on the basics of sign language to the rest of the volunteers.
Aishwarya, a student of Cotton Hill school who dreams of being a
musician, enthralled the listeners with a beautiful song. At the end of the
program, everyone left with the firm conviction that their ambitions were
indeed within reach.
At the conclusion of the workshop, everyone promised to work together
on improving the lives of differently abled people.
Ashla Rani, the winner of the youth icon award of Kerala government,
made this pioneering effort. Way to go, Ashla!
–
EVENTS THAT TRANSFORM LIVES
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/EVENTS-THAT-TRANSFORM-LIVES/]
_Nincy Mariam Mondly, a participant at the Workshop on empowering Women
with Disabilities
[https://palliumindia.org/2018/12/workshop-on-empowering-women-with-disabilities/]
organized by Pallium India and Mobility International USA’s (MIUSA) Women’s
Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD), shares her experience:_
The workshop on women empowerment held on 15 December 2018 at the
Kanthari International Institute for Social change, Nemom, was yet another
opportunity that knocked at my door unexpectedly. It was like a cake with many
cherries on top of it; knowing that I wouldn’t feel left out among a group of
physically challenged women (students with speech and hearing problems from
NISH, blind students from Jyothirgamaya and others like myself with locomotor
disability) was a powerful motivator to attend it. Added bonuses like not
having to pay any fees for participating and the venue being close to my house
gave me more reasons to be part of the workshop. Even at the last moment, when
the arrangements I had made for travelling didn’t work out, Ashla Krishnan
became the Knight in shining armour, who took me along with her to the venue
like a VIP. Holding my head up high and with a toothy smile I sat in the tempo
as it approached the venue.
The venue, one of the best parts of the workshop, encompassed several
Baker-model buildings, a lot of greenery and was beside the Vellayani lake
(largest fresh water lake in Trivandrum). I know this because I myself had
driven my automatic wheelchair all around these places, taking in the fresh air
and feeling close to nature.
A lot of smiling faces welcomed me; these were the staff of Pallium
India and many CET student volunteers who catered to our needs with great care.
The participants warmed up to each other quickly, feeling united in the joy we
felt just by being together. If our wheelchairs stand out usually, in the
workshop, our personalities stood out.
After the brief welcome address, the workshop began with advocate
Sandhya’s session. She explained how the law seeks to serve and protect us. She
encouraged us to not be silent in the face of injustice, thereby showing us
that we are the actualisers of a law that would otherwise, in the absence of
our action, only remain in books. Seeing my friend noting down the points
carefully, I also did that; more in my mind than the notepad.
The session that followed a tea break was by gynecologist Dr Shaliya
James, who made us aware of our own bodies, especially about the female
reproductive system and the problems that women generally encounter. We were
also guided on how to use menstrual cups (that each of us were gifted for
participating in the workshop). She devoted special time for clearing our
doubts.
All the sessions had interpreters for the students of NISH who used
sign language. It was wondersome to watch their interactions. On every occasion
where I have got the chance to meet people with varied “physical challenges”, I
have had to expand my own perspective to see how beautiful the world is, even
with all these imperfections or may be to even state that these imperfections
are what makes the world perfect. And I gladly put myself among these
imperfections.
After a well-served lunch, there was a fun activity. We were asked to
go around the beautiful place and then draw a tree with symbolic meaning; the
roots of the tree were to represent our values, the trunk was meant for the
support we get in our life, branches denoted our skills and finally our dreams
to be depicted through the leaves. Being a person who enjoys artwork, I held
onto the chart paper and sketch pens that they provided, like a small kid.
After lavishly enjoying the greenery, most of us settled to draw our trees.
The afternoon session which began with a group photo, was conducted
outdoors. As opposed to the hall, being outside was equally refreshing for
everyone. By this time a special guest had joined us too. She patiently waited
amidst us, while each of us explained our trees, some green and leafy while
others were dry with scarce leaves but all having lot of meaning. While most of
us were shy to talk about our trees, this guest was keenly listening to all of
the participants and taking special note of their pictures and she did this
while lying on her stretcher. This special guest was Sarasu Thomas, who at a
very young age, became paralysed below the neck, from polio. Even then, using
the fingers that she can move, she writes, stitches and even draws. She even
got State Government award for best author. Using a combination of her life
experiences, examples from nature and even short stories, she stimulated us
from within, to see ourselves as having potential to rise up higher from the
depths of our disabilities and turn them into fascinating instruments.
As the day got over and I returned home, leaving the door of my heart
wide open for more such opportunities to transform me from within.
_If you liked this, you may want to read another blog by Nincy: Letting
the paint brush find its way
[https://palliumindia.org/2016/12/letting-the-paint-brush-find-its-way/] _ ;
–
THE HIDDEN WORLD OF WOMEN CAREGIVERS
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/THE-HIDDEN-WORLD-OF-WOMEN-CAREGIVERS/]
_Krishnaraj Nambiar, Pallium India Volunteer and FOMAA Project Team
Member, writes:_
Her aged husband has been paralysed following a Cerebrovascular
Accident (CVA). A second tragedy followed, when she lost her young son who was
her only support.
Her husband is a paraplegic. She sets an alarm at night to turn him in
bed every two hours so that he doesn’t get bed sores.
She lives alone with her husband who is a heart patient and less mobile
following a spinal injury. She has to leave her house at 5 a.m. to support her
ailing husband to run her tea shop.
Her son (aged 34) and daughter (aged 36) are completely bedridden since
the last 30 years. Her husband is a coolie.
These were the stories of four women caregivers that were presented in
the documentary titled “Support-A different story” by Ms.Beena Paul and
Ms.Raakhee, at the workshop on the ‘Hidden World of Women Care Givers’,
organized by Women’s wing of Federation of Malayalees Association of Americas
(FOMAA) and Pallium India, on 3 December, 2018 at Mannam memorial Hall,
Trivandrum. About 50 care givers and a few of their family members, as well as
Pallium India’s volunteers and invited guests from various fields attended the
workshop.
Ms. Mangala Francis, Pallium India’s volunteer and coordinator of the
FOMAA project, who welcomed the participants explained that the objective of
the workshop was to bring together women care givers associated with Pallium
India, provide them with a forum, listen to the challenges they face and
acknowledge their contribution.
Pallium India, with the funds from FOMAA, provides support to women
caregivers to start income generation activities. The workshop was part of
Pallium India’s efforts to systematise its work with women caregivers and
create awareness about the hidden world of women caregivers who globally
account for 80% of all caregivers.
Following the documentary screening, Ashla Rani reflected on her
experience as a person receiving care, especially from her mother. Ashla
appealed for recognition of care givers, particularly women, whose services are
unacknowledged. Ms. Reshmi spoke as a care giver and highlighted the travails
faced by women in providing care and working to earn an income to run the
family.
The next segment included a panel. Ms.Sonia George from the Self
Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) described the work of SEWA for the
protection of rights of self-employed women. She stressed that women care
givers should come together to break their isolation and should consider their
problems as a social issue. Dr. Sreedevi from Pallium India, based on her daily
experience in dealing with care givers, said that the role played by women care
givers are taken as normal and no one acknowledges their immense sacrifice. She
suggested that assistance should be provided to women care givers to enable
them to take a break from their routine. Ms. Asha from Kerala Mahila Samakhya
Society spoke about her work with marginalised women particularly with regard
to violence faced by them and how this workshop has made her reflect about the
issue of women care givers. Ms.Asha Nair from the Women’s Development
Corporation (WDC) explained various schemes conducted by WDC and promised to
include women care givers in their projects and programmes.
The panel presentation was followed by an open discussion moderated by
Ms. Jyothi Krishnan (Independent researcher/consultant). Several women
caregivers narrated their experiences, some were choking with emotion as they
spoke and the audience were overwhelmed by their ordeal. A few also requested
help to start a grocery, buy a sewing machine etc. Dr.Sulochana, former
Professor from the Kerala Agricultural College, shared information about her
NGO named ADISHA which is providing training to women to grow vegetables and
mushroom cultivation.
Ms. Jyothi summarised the main points made by the panellists and the
interventions from the participants. She said that there must be dissemination
of information to the beneficiaries of their entitlements in various government
schemes. She was sceptical if a role reversal would take place in society of
men sharing the woman’s burden and added that it was society’s responsibility
to ensure that happens. The main message she conveyed was regarding the need
for providing not just material support to women caregivers but ensuring that
the society acknowledges their role and contribution. She also reaffirmed a
suggestion made from the floor for conducting a systematic study of problems
faced by women care givers and the role of various governmental and
non-governmental agencies in mitigating them.
The workshop was also attended by Mr.Jain Kannanchamparambil, Joint
Treasurer of FOMAA . He appreciated the efforts made by Pallium India to
support women care givers and the organization of the workshop on the subject.
The session ended with a vote of thanks from Lijimol of Pallium India.
The workshop was compered by Ms. Shobana Kumari, a Pallium India volunteer.
–
HOW TO PROVIDE CARE FOR THE CAREGIVER
[HTTPS://WWW.THEHINDU.COM/SCI-TECH/HEALTH/HOW-TO-PROVIDE-CARE-FOR-THE-CAREGIVER/ARTICLE25763695.ECE]
Caregivers are the ‘unseen martyrs’. In the case of people requiring
long-term care — be it bipolar disorder, Parkinson’s, stroke, palsy, autism, or
even old age — the duties we expect nurses to perform often fall on the
shoulders of family members.
In India, it’s particularly harsh on women, as daughters-in-law are
expected to care for the family without being asked. Though people would take
care of their family members, out of either love or a sense of duty, we need to
recognise the level of stress the caregiver too may be under.
Read more:
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/how-to-provide-care-for-the-caregiver/article25763695.ece
[https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/how-to-provide-care-for-the-caregiver/article25763695.ece]
–
Art on Wheels
[https://www.facebook.com/pg/palliumindia/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2876247979067929]
“Art on Wheels 2018” – a fun program of sports and cultural activities
for Pallium India’s friends in wheelchair – was conducted on Dec 2 at
Manaveeyam Veedhi. The event was organized by Art Faktory, Manaveeyam Cultural
Corridor, Cheshire Home, All Kerala Wheelchair Rights Federation and Pallium
India.
Click here to see some photos from the event:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/palliumindia/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2876247979067929
[https://www.facebook.com/pg/palliumindia/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2876247979067929]
–
ALAPPUZHA BEACH BECOMES THE FIRST DIFFERENTLY-ABLED FRIENDLY BEACH IN SOUTH
INDIA
[HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/ALAPPUZHA-BEACH-BECOMES-THE-FIRST-DIFFERENTLY-ABLED-FRIENDLY-BEACH-IN-SOUTH-INDIA/AS66951536.CMS]
Alappuzha is a beautiful town in Kerala that has become the first South
Indian destination to have a differently-abled friendly beach. This noble
initiative of turning Alappuzha Beach into a differently-abled friendly beach
was launched recently on the occasion of International Day of Persons with
Disabilities.
Read More:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/alappuzha-beach-becomes-the-first-differently-abled-friendly-beach-in-south-india/as66951536.cms
[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/alappuzha-beach-becomes-the-first-differently-abled-friendly-beach-in-south-india/as66951536.cms]
–
PHARMABIZ GIVES ATTENTION TO PALLIATIVE CARE.
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/PHARMABIZ-GIVES-ATTENTION-TO-PALLIATIVE-CARE/]
It is gratifying to see the increased attention that different arms of
the health care system are giving to palliative care.
Now that palliative care is included in the national health policy, now
that the opioid regulations are simplified and now that it has been accepted as
a part of HIV care, let us hope that the growth curve of palliative care in the
country gets steeper.
Please see the attention that Pharma industry is giving to palliative
care:
Access to palliative care slow in India despite positive moves by govt
to improve access to pain relief solutions
[http://pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=112832&sid=1] ;
Pallium India sees palliative care not just for cancer but also for
neurological, respiratory & geriatric care
[http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=112910&sid=1] ;
–
MOST OF THIS IS NEEDLESS SUFFERING:
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/MOST-OF-THIS-IS-NEEDLESS-SUFFERING/]
“Kerala’s health index is top in the country in terms of overall health
performance. But a worrying trend is casting a shadow over the state, that
reveals many people are ending lives unable to cope with the illnesses they
suffer from.” Read the report by The New Indian Express: In worrying trend,
terminally ill people in Kerala choosing to end lives
[http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/dec/01/terminally-ill-people-choosing-to-end-lives-1905621.html]
For everyone who succeeds, how many dozens will be attempting and
failing? And how many hundreds would be wishing they had the courage to try!
If only palliative care were integrated with treatment of diseases in
tertiary, secondary and primary levels of care, most of such suffering could be
avoided.
And it is all low-cost!
_(Representational image courtesy The New Indian Express)_
–
HELP PALLIUM INDIA TO TREAT SERIOUS HEALTH-RELATED PAIN AND SUFFERING
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/11/HELP-PALLIUM-INDIA-TO-TREAT-SERIOUS-HEALTH-RELATED-PAIN-AND-SUFFERING/]
[https://milaap.org/fundraisers/pallium-india] ;
Pallium India seeks your support:
We offer patients free palliative care as well as free medicines. For
families who are struggling to put food on the table, we provide food packets.
We also support the education of the kids in the suffering families.
PALLIUM INDIA WORKS ONLY ON DONATIONS.
To continue our work with patients and families, and to stop their
suffering, we need money. With your kind help, we will be able to save lives,
educate children and prevent these families from being destroyed.
DONATE NOW: HTTPS://MILAAP.ORG/FUNDRAISERS/PALLIUM-INDIA
[HTTPS://MILAAP.ORG/FUNDRAISERS/PALLIUM-INDIA]
Please share this campaign with your friends and request them to donate
to Pallium India.
–
NATIONAL TECHNICAL GUIDELINES ON ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY (ART) OCT 2018 INCLUDE
CHAPTER ON PALLIATIVE CARE
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/NATIONAL-TECHNICAL-GUIDELINES-ON-ANTI-RETROVIRAL-THERAPY-ART-OCT-2018-INCLUDE-CHAPTER-ON-PALLIATIVE-CARE/]
The palliative care movement in India had never made any really
successful inroads into the HIV scene in the country. Hence, this news comes as
a very welcome step forward.
Professor Dinesh Kumar, our collaborator from Anand, Gujarat, writes: "
National Technical Guidelines on ART_October 2018
[http://naco.gov.in/sites/default/files/NACO%20-%20National%20Technical%20Guidelines%20on%20ART_October%202018%20%281%29.pdf]
have been released recently. The guidelines have a dedicated chapter [Section
2, Chapter 12, 14 pages] dedicated to palliative care. This indicates
increasing recognition for palliative care in the framework of existing
National programmes. This will help in making palliative care services more
accessible to HIV positive individual and families. It will contribute to
integrating Palliative care in the healthcare system. Hope other programmes
will also follow the lead."
–
PROMISING DEVELOPMENT IN BIHAR
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/PROMISING-DEVELOPMENT-IN-BIHAR/]
Meet Mr Amal Kumar, the one person in Bihar who can scoop away a huge
burden of pain and suffering in the state of Bihar.
On the 13th and 14th of December 2018, Pallium India took part in a
series of meetings at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Patna
and at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC). One major item on the agenda was an
opioid availability meeting.
We were overjoyed to find the drug controller Mr Amal Kumar so
positive. He was very clear about being supportive of implementation of the new
amended rules. It is now up to the medical fraternity to create enough
palliative care services so as to make a difference.
Thank you Mr Amal Kumar and all friends at AIIMS and at RCC, Patna.
–
‘PRATHEEKSHA’ GET-TOGETHER AT MAGIC PLANET
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/PRATHEEKSHA-GET-TOGETHER-AT-MAGIC-PLANET/]
Every year in December, “Pratheeksha” SAT Pediatric Palliative Care Clinic,
Pediatric Neurology, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department and Pallium
India organize an annual get-together for children receiving care, and their
families. This year, on December 8, a fun-filled visit was arranged to Magic
Planet, the magic-themed park at Trivandrum, as part of the clinic’s 7th
anniversary celebrations.
Pratheeksha clinic takes care of children with life-limiting health
conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, developmental delay, chronic kidney
disease and juvenile arthritis.
For more photos from the event, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/palliumindia/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2887216007971126
[https://www.facebook.com/pg/palliumindia/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2887216007971126]
–
‘HIPPOCRATIC’ SCREENED AT WORLD CONGRESS ON BIOETHICS
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/HIPPOCRATIC-SCREENED-AT-WORLD-CONGRESS-ON-BIOETHICS/]
14th World Congress on Bioethics opened at St John’s Medical College,
Bengaluru on 5 December 2018.
_(Image: Dr Sunil K Pandya, the Bioethics pioneer of India, lighting
the lamp at the opening of the congress)_
The screening of “ _Hippocratic_ [http://hippocraticfilm.com/] ” was ;
one of the features of the congress on the first day. Thank you, everyone who
participated in the screening.
Sorry we did not have enough discs on sale for all who asked for it. If
you would like a disc, please write to vyshnavi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vyshnavi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] if you want it within India. For anyone ;
outside India, please visit http://hippocraticfilm.com/see-the-film/ ;
[http://hippocraticfilm.com/see-the-film/] ;
–
ASHLA, LIJI AND VRINDA WIN FIRST PRIZE
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/ASHLA-LIJI-AND-VRINDA-WIN-FIRST-PRIZE/]
Congratulations to Ashla Rani, Liji MPH and Vrinda MSW – it is not a
small achievement to win the first prize for the best presentation, under the
theme “Rehabilitation of persons with disabilities: Vocational Employment and
Placement” at the 6th annual national seminar organized by Centre of Excellence
for Disability Studies, at Thiruvananthapuram on 4th December 2018.
But even more importantly, congratulations to you for all that you have
done to transform so many lives so miraculously. The casual reader may not
realise what an amazing difference you have made to so many human lives.
–
ONE YEAR FELLOWSHIP IN GERIATRICS AT MANIPAL
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/ONE-YEAR-FELLOWSHIP-IN-GERIATRICS-AT-MANIPAL/]
Manipal Academy of Higher Education has announced a one-year Fellowship
in Geriatrics aimed to produce internists with specialty training in the field
of Geriatric Medicine. The course aims to attract future healthcare leaders in
the field of Clinical Geriatrics.
The Fellowship in Geriatrics will be a 12 month program to be held at
Kasturba Medical college, Mangalore. The course aims to provide hands on
training to enable the Fellow to provide comprehensive and interdisciplinary
health care and rehabilitation of the older adult and carry out research in the
field of Geriatrics.
Click to know more:
https://manipal.edu/kmc-mangalore/programs/program-list/diabetes-care-training-program.html
[https://manipal.edu/kmc-mangalore/programs/program-list/diabetes-care-training-program.html]
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Sheetal Raj M.
M.D.( Gen Medicine) ; PGDGM( IGNOU) ; Advanced Training In Geriatrics (
M.A.H.E)
Associate Professor in Medicine & Program Director – Geriatric Medicine
Fellowship,
Kasturba Medical College, Attavar, Mangalore-575001
Karnataka.
Email id : sheetal.raj@xxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sheetal.raj@xxxxxxxxxxx] ;
–
WHAT A GREAT GIFT! [HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/WHAT-A-GREAT-GIFT/]
These are students from Mokeri higher secondary School at Koothuparamba in
northern Kerala. This picture was taken during the concluding session of a
3-day camp of National Service Scheme (NSS). They had got together to
felicitate seven heroines amongst them.
What did the heroines do?
They sacrificed the tresses of their long hair and donated them to make
wigs for patients who lost their hair from chemotherapy in Malabar Cancer
Centre. Wigs are so expensive; those women could never have afforded to buy
them to make themselves presentable.
These heroines restore our faith in humanity.
–
CLASS 7 DROPOUT FROM KERALA IS NOW FEEDING HUNDREDS OF PATIENTS.
[HTTPS://WWW.THEBETTERINDIA.COM/164674/NAVAJEEVAN-TRUST-KERALA-KOTTAYAM-HELP/]
In the afternoons, Thomas and his group of volunteers set out to
provide around 5,000 packets of homemade food to the patients and visitors of
three different hospitals in Kottayam, followed by tea, as well as dinner.
Sitting and chatting and giving words of comfort to over 200 people has
become a routine for him. These words of comfort have become a source of joy
for them.
The love that the people of Kottayam have for him goes a long way.
Read more:
https://www.thebetterindia.com/164674/navajeevan-trust-kerala-kottayam-help/ ;
[https://www.thebetterindia.com/164674/navajeevan-trust-kerala-kottayam-help/] ;
–
DONATE TO PALLIUM INDIA [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/DONATE]
The money you give will pay for essential free medicines for the poor,
for their travel to the clinic or for schooling of their children, or other
forms of care.
PLEASE GIVE WHATEVER YOU CAN. NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL.
To donate, please visit:
http://palliumindia.org/donate/ [http://palliumindia.org/donate/] ;
(India)
http://palliumindiausa.org/ [http://palliumindiausa.org/] ;(USA)
Write to us: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] ;
Call us: +91-9746745497 (India) / +1-718-273-8597 (USA)
_ All donations to Pallium India are tax deductible._
–
UPCOMING EVENTS [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/COURSES/]
* JAN 15, 2019: Kerala Palliative Care Day.
* JAN 24-25, 2019: International Conference on HealthCare in the
Elderly at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. Contact: Dr. Sania Saood:
9663277984, Ms. Freeda D’Souza : 8978974013, Email : cencops.kmc.mlr@xxxxxxxxx
[mailto:cencops.kmc.mlr@xxxxxxxxx] ;
* FEB 8, 9, 10, 2019: The 26th International Conference of Indian
Association of Palliative Care – IAPCONKochi2019 – will be held on 8th, 9th and
10th February 2019 (with a Pre-Conference Workshop on 7th February 2019) at
AELI Hills, Ernakulam, Kerala, India. Conference website:
http://www.iapconkochi2019.com/ [http://www.iapconkochi2019.com/] ;
* MAR 4, 2019: 6 weeks certificate course in palliative medicine and
nursing (CCPPM, CCPN) at Trivandrum. Register: http://palliumindia.org/courses/ ;
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/] Contact: education@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ;
[mailto:education@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] / 8589998760. Last date to apply: Feb 18, ;
2019
* APR 26-28, 2019: Three day volunteer training program in Trivandrum
including home visits. Contact: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] ;
* MAY 1, 2019: 10-day Foundation course in palliative medicine, at
Trivandrum. Register: https://palliumindia.org/courses/ ;
[https://palliumindia.org/courses/] Contact: education@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ;
[mailto:education@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] ;
* JUNE 3, 2019: 6 weeks certificate course in palliative medicine and
nursing (CCPPM, CCPN) at Trivandrum. Register: http://palliumindia.org/courses/ ;
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/] Contact: education@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ;
[mailto:education@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] / 8589998760. ;
Have Queries? Contact: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] . ;
Find out more about our courses at: HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/COURSES/
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/COURSES/]
–
JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE [HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PALLIUMINDIA]
Pallium India’s Facebook page has over 8500 Likes.
We regularly post articles related to palliative care from around the
world.
_ CLICK HERE TO LIKE OUR PAGE [HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PALLIUMINDIA]
!_
We’re also on Twitter: @palliumindia [https://twitter.com/palliumindia] ;
–
PALLIATIVE CARE INFORMATION CENTRE [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/INFO-CENTRE]
Contact Pallium India’s Information Centre (9 am to 5 p.m., except on
Sundays and National holidays) for INFORMATION RELATED TO PALLIATIVE CARE and
about ESTABLISHMENTS WHERE SUCH FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE in India.
Telephone: +91-9746745497
or E-mail: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] ;
Address: Pallium India Trust, VP 80/13, Golden Hills, Venkode P.O., Vattappara,
Thiruvananthapuram 695028
For more details, please visit: http://palliumindia.org/info-centre/ ;
[http://palliumindia.org/info-centre/] ;
–
PARTING SHOT
SOBHANA’S GIFT [HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/12/SOBHANAS-GIFT/]
It was Pallium India’s good fortune to be present at the opening of the
new building of a successful palliative care centre.
See Sobhana’ broad smile? She has reason to be pleased with herself.
She donated the land for construction a new home for Sanjeevani Charitable
Trust in Taliparamba in northern Kerala.
There is one more invisible person in the photograph. One who never
appeared in public and does not want his name mentioned. That was an anonymous
donor who funded the whole construction.
