Pallium India
Care Beyond Cure
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! June 2017 !
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http://palliumindia.org/?p=6411
June 1, 2017
ADVANCE DIRECTIVE: SUPREME COURT LEAVES IT TO THE PARLIAMENT:
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2017/05/ADVANCED-DIRECTIVE-SUPREME-COURT-LEAVES-IT-TO-THE-PARLIAMENT/]
On a public interest litigation filed in the Supreme Court by Girish
Gokhale (lawyer), Raj Mani (intensivist), Srinagesh Simha (palliative care
physician) and Roop Gurshahani (neurologist), the Supreme Court leaves it to
the government. “Keeping in view the sensitivity and importance of the matter,
we allow the petitioners to express the grievances raised in the petition to
secretary of ministry of health and family welfare,” the bench also comprising
of justices D.Y. Chandrachud and S.K. Kaul said.
_Read the news here._
[http://www.livemint.com/Politics/2ytHgxcyZyTg26eTuahn7I/Supreme-Court-says-living-will-issue-should-be-decided-by.html]
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A MATTER OF SUPREME HAPPINESS: CONGRATULATIONS, KHAFI.
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2017/05/A-MATTER-OF-SUPREME-HAPPINESS-CONGRATULATIONS-KAFI/]
Two of our dear associates received the prestigious Florence
Nightingale award for the year from the President of India on International
nurses’ day,12 May 2017 – Mr Mohammed Khafi from Thanal Charitable Trust,
Lakshadweep and Ms Sindhu S, from Malabar Cancer Centre, Thalasseri.
The palliative care service at Lakshadweep has been a matter of huge
pride for Pallium India. It has truly been a privilege to work with the founder
Maulana and to the nurse-doctor team, Khafi and Ali who spent 6 weeks with us
in Trivandrum undergoing our course. On their return to Lakshadweep, the duo
just got on to Khafi’s motorbike, hung a pack each of supplies over their
shoulders, and started doing home visits. The mentors from the Hamrahi team in
Australia, Odette Spruyt, Sarah Jose, Sofia Lam and more recently Dr Ann
Broderick from Iowa have all been very impressed by the remarkable work
undertaken in Lakshadweep.
Sindhu, palliative care nurse from Malabar Cancer Centre, Talasseri,
Kerala is another winner of the Florence Nightingale award. We had the pleasure
of hosting her in Trivandrum some time back and working with her in a pain-free
hospital initiative in her Institute.
In the past, two other palliative care nurses – Rev Sr Merlin and Mr
Suresh Thaliyaril from D Nip Care, Delhi had won this honor.
DEAR KHAFI AND SINDHU, WE ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOU. HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS.
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DR LINGE GOWDA WINS A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
Dr Linge Gowda, palliative care physician and director of regional
Cancer Centre, Kidwai Institute of oncology, Bengaluru was honoured at the
venue of the European Association of palliative care conference at Madrid on 20
May, 2017. European Journal of palliative care conferred the palliative care
policy award on him.
DR LINGE GOWDA WAS THE PRIME MOVER OF THE KARNATAKA STATE PALLIATIVE CARE
POLICY.
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THEME FOR WORLD HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE DAY ANNOUNCED:
[HTTP://WWW.THEWHPCA.ORG/LATEST-NEWS/ITEM/WORLD-HOSPICE-AND-PALLIATIVE-CARE-DAY-THEME-ANNOUNCED]
The WHPCA has announced the theme of this year’s World Hospice and
Palliative Care Day: “Universal Health Coverage and Palliative Care:
Don’t leave those suffering behind”!
It falls on 14 October 2017 (2nd Saturday of October). Please see the
WHPCA
[http://www.thewhpca.org/latest-news/item/world-hospice-and-palliative-care-day-theme-announced]
website for more information:
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THE SECOND PALLIATIVE CARE NURSES’ CONFERENCE OPENS TO FULL HOUSE!
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2017/05/THE-SECOND-PALLIATIVE-CARE-NURSES-CONFERENCE-OPENS-TO-FULL-HOUSE/]
FULL HOUSE AS USUAL.
Would you believe it? In our tiny state of Kerala with only 1% of
India’s landmass, the large hall is full with palliative care nurses on 13,14
May 2017.
This is at Calicut and the event, the second Palliative Care Nurses’
Conference. What an enthusiastic gathering! The participants were particularly
aiming to concentrate on improving knowledge. Pallium India’s training
coordinator Sheeba and nurses Ramya and Lekshmi participated in the program.
CONGRATULATIONS SINI AND TEAM.
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MCI NOTIFICATION ON DRUG PRESCRIPTION
As per the notification issued by MCI (MCI-211(2)/2016(Ethics)/131118)
which has come to effect on 8th October 2016, every physician “should prescribe
drugs with generic names legibly and preferably in capital letters and he/she
shall ensure that there is a rational prescription and use of drugs.”
Please click here to read the Notification
[http://palliumindia.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/MCI-notification.pdf]
(pdf)
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NATIONAL CANCER GRID (NCG) TAKES THE BULL BY THE HORN
Dr Pramesh and team at Tata Memorial Cancer Centre cannot be
complimented enough. What a phenomenal job!
As part of its second national meeting, a 24 member working group on
palliative care met today to create an action plan for palliative care,
particularly for integration of palliative care into cancer care in the
country. Considering that the National Cancer Grid (NCG) has more than 100
member institutions providing cancer care, it is easy to be very very hopeful.
The meeting closed on 21st of May 2017.
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DELIGHTFUL VISIT FROM GANDHI FELLOWS
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2017/05/DELIGHTFUL-VISIT-FROM-GANDHI-FELLOWS/]
_Sumitha.T.S, Pallium India’s project executive writes: _
“Doctors carry bags of medicines and supplies to patients homes! They
talk to the patient on matters other than the disease and medicines! They
interact freely with the families, with the nurses and other staff!”
“Volunteers from the community are actively engaged in patient care;
they get no payment at all except for the satisfaction of helping others.”
“The concept of ‘Care beyond cure’ is most appealing!”
“It works. The empathetic approach does keep away the patient’s pain
and other related suffering”.
“There is such a friendly atmosphere between the team members. They are
passionate in promoting palliative care.”
More than half of India’s population is below thirty-five. Grooming
them into change makers through Gandhi Fellowship program is one of the most
appreciable works undertaken by both Kaivalya Education Foundation and Piramal
Foundation. We at Pallium India became energized by spending two productive
days with ten Gandhi Fellows from different parts of our country. They were
introduced to our activities – outpatient service, inpatient care, home visits
and some of our national projects. In the end, we were very excited to hear
their feedback, some of which are given above.
Many of them were hearing about palliative care and Pallium India for
the first time. Some of them believed palliative care was meant only for
elderly. There were other common misconceptions as well, among them. But after
reaching here, seeing our work, those myths were dispelled. They confessed to
being inspired by seeing palliative care in action.
Their wonderful suggestions are also important to us as an organization
looking for higher standards in healthcare. They are:
* Digitalization of data, including the entries made during home
visits.
* Avail of the use of modern equipment, for example, use digital blood
pressure monitoring apparatus rather than mercury sphygmomanometer. This could
save time and energy.
* Initiate marketing strategies through various websites so as to reach
many minds.
* Extend effectively to other states through government or other
well-wisher’s participation.
* Improve emergency service.
Precious suggestions; thank you dear Gandhi Fellows. Help us to achieve
them. While winding up the two days, it seems obvious to us; the two days have
made you “Gandhi Fellows for Palliative Care”.
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NEW BOOK ON ESTABLISHING PALLIATIVE CARE ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY WORLDWIDE
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2017/05/NEW-BOOK-ON-ESTABLISHING-PALLIATIVE-CARE-ORGANISATION-AND-DELIVERY-WORLDWIDE/]
Kate Jackson from e-hospice writes to inform us about the launching of
the book, “Building Integrated Palliative Care Programmes and Services
published by former members of the Technical Advisory Group supporting the
World Health Organization Palliative Care Initiative. The book was launched at
the 15th World Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care at
Madrid.
The book is available for free download:
http://www.thewhpca.org/resources/category/building-integrated-palliative-care-programs-and-services
[http://www.thewhpca.org/resources/category/building-integrated-palliative-care-programs-and-services]
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VIDEO OF THE MONTH [HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=4JKM0UUQWUI]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JKm0UuQwUI] Do you have four minutes ;
to spare?
Watch this video from the Open Society Foundations:
“Bringing Palliative Care to India” on YouTube
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JKm0UuQwUI] ;
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DONATE TO PALLIUM INDIA [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/DONATE/]
[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: palliumindia.org/donate
[http://palliumindia.org/donate/] ;
Write to us: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] / ;
9746745497
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‘ONLY 3% PATIENTS IN MADHYA PRADESH GET PALLIATIVE CARE’
[HTTP://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/CITY/BHOPAL/ONLY-3-PATIENTS-IN-MP-GET-PALLIATIVE-CARE-DR-JOHNSON/ARTICLESHOW/58675041.CMS?FROM=MDR]
Barely three percent of patients in need of palliative care are being
served. The care for the terminally ill and counselling of the their families
is considered a new frontier in medical care that ensures that the patient is
free of pain and symptoms, said experts at a CME on ‘End of Life Care – Ethical
Issues’ in Bhopal.
Palliative care should ensure that the patient is free from pain and
symptom, with full control of what is happening, with the necessary emotional
and spiritual support, at a place of one’s choice and is also able to leave
when the time has come, without pointless prolonging of life, said Dr Ravi
Gupta, onco-surgeon of Lake City hospital.
Going by estimates only, three percent of the patients across the
country get palliative care and nearly all the patients receiving palliative
care are in Kerala and other states in the south.
Read More ->
[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/only-3-patients-in-mp-get-palliative-care-dr-johnson/articleshow/58675041.cms?from=mdr]
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PARALYSED AND CONFINED AT HOME, HERE’S HOW THESE KERALA MEN AND WOMEN ARE
FINDING THEIR SUNSHINE
[HTTP://WWW.THENEWSMINUTE.COM/ARTICLE/PARALYSED-AND-CONFINED-HOME-HERES-HOW-THESE-KERALA-MEN-AND-WOMEN-ARE-FINDING-THEIR-SUNSHINE]
Paralysed as they are, these men and women may not have the pleasure of
sinking their feet in wet earth when the monsoon hits Kerala in the coming
weeks. But that doesn’t stop them from eagerly looking forward to the coming
rains.
After all, as for many others, the coming rains are important to the
livelihood of these paralysed umbrella makers spread across the state. Confined
to their beds and with few opportunities for a much-needed livelihood, these
men and women have turned to Kerala’s famed umbrella-making trade.
Read More ->
[http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/paralysed-and-confined-home-heres-how-these-kerala-men-and-women-are-finding-their-sunshine]
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THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN “PRESCRIBED OPIOIDS” AND “PRESCRIPTION OPIOIDS”- LESSON
FOR INDIA FROM WILLEM SCHOLTEN.
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2017/05/THE-DISTINCTION-BETWEEN-PRESCRIBED-OPIOIDS-AND-PRESCRIPTION-OPIOIDS-LESSON-FOR-INDIA-FROM-WILLEM-SCHOLTEN/]
“Prescription opioids are _intended_ to be prescribed as medicines.
Prescribed medicines are _actually prescribed_ by a physician and dispensed by
a pharmacy.
About 75% of fatal overdoses from prescription opioids in the U.S.
occur in people who have _not been prescribed_ opioids during the three months
preceding their deaths. Thus, the majority must have obtained these
_prescription_ opioids on the black or gray market
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26988312] .” ;
Please read the blog by Mr Willem Scholten: Better Analysis Needed on
Non-Medical Use of Opioids
[https://www.painnewsnetwork.org/stories/2017/5/2/better-analysis-needed-on-non-medical-use-of-opioids]
His recommendation:_ “OPTIMAL PUBLIC HEALTH OUTCOMES CAN ONLY BE
ATTAINED WHEN POLICIES TO MINIMIZE NON-MEDICAL USE ARE BALANCED WITH POLICIES
TO MAXIMIZE ACCESS TO ADEQUATE PAIN MANAGEMENT”_.
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END OF LIFE CARE HAS BEEN CONFUSED WITH EUTHANASIA: DR RAJ K MANI
[HTTP://HEALTH.ECONOMICTIMES.INDIATIMES.COM/NEWS/INDUSTRY/END-OF-LIFE-CARE-HAS-BEEN-CONFUSED-WITH-EUTHANASIA-DR-RAJ-K-MANI/58585970]
The issue in India has been under debate for close to two decades but
not much progress has been made. This is because of the great confusion in
terminologies relating to end of life care and the principles and policies that
are yet to develop.
Against this background there was a meeting consisting of multispecialty and
multi-professional participants and the proceedings were designed in a way to
generate brain storming on various contentious and ambiguous issues in our
midst. For an issue of such public importance, a broad consensus, participation
and capacity building is required. So the agenda consisted of certain essential
needs of the terminally ill person that need further exploration.
Read More->
[http://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/end-of-life-care-has-been-confused-with-euthanasia-dr-raj-k-mani/58585970]
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UPCOMING EVENTS [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/COURSES]
JUNE 2-4, 2017: Painting exhibition at Museum Auditorium, Trivandrum.
Contact: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx / 9746745502
JUNE 5, 2017: One month certificate course
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/hyd_ccppm] in Pain and Palliative Medicine ;
for Doctors, Nurses, Social Workers and Volunteers in Hyderabad, Telengana.
Contact: mnj.palliative@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:mnj.palliative@xxxxxxxxx] ;
JUNE 5, 2017: 10 days Foundation course
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/foundation/] in Palliative Medicine for ;
Doctors. Contact: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] ;
JUNE 29-JULY 2, 2017: Rehabilitation products sale at Saphalyam
Complex, Trivandrum. Contact: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] ;
OCTOBER 14, 2017: International conference on Peri-operative Cancer
Care at Jawaharlal Nehru Auditorium AIIMS, New Delhi. Register:
http://www.irchoncoanaesthesia.com/ [http://www.irchoncoanaesthesia.com/] ;
For details on these programs, contact: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] . Find out more at: ;
http://palliumindia.org/courses/ [http://palliumindia.org/courses/] ;
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JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE [HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PALLIUMINDIA]
Pallium India’s Facebook page has over 5000 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] ;
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PALLIATIVE CARE INFORMATION CENTRE [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/INFO-CENTRE]
Contact Pallium India’s Information Centre (9 am to 12 noon) for
information related to palliative care and about establishments where such
facilities are available in India. Telephone: +91-9746745497 or E-mail:
info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Address: Pallium India, Arumana Hospital, Perunthanni, Trivandrum
For more details, please visit: http://palliumindia.org/info-centre/ ;
[http://palliumindia.org/info-centre/] ;
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PARTING SHOT
This is Sulthan of Murukkumpuzha, Trivandrum, age 14 years. He has just
completed his 8th std in school. He lives with his mother (the only earning
member in the family, she is employed as a coolie), sister (in 6th std) and
Grandmother (a patient).
Sulthan is crazy about cricket and attends cricket coaching class. It
is his desire to become a great cricket player that prompted him to take up
newspaper delivery as a means to pay for his cricket coaching fees.
His day starts at 5a.m. and for 3 hours, he delivers newspapers to 180
homes. After a small break, he is off to tuition class for the next 1.5 hrs.
Thereafter he attends school from till 4 pm, after which he goes to
play cricket. He earns ₹2,200 pm delivering newspapers of which he retains ₹200
for his cricket coaching fees and hands over ₹2,000 to his mother.
He can also play the _chenda_ (drum) which he has learnt for 2 years.
By the way, he also finds time to read newspapers.
You are truly inspiring, Sulthan, and will go a long way in life. Keep
up the good work.
(This photo of Sulthan was taken at Pallium India’s 3-day Kuttikkoottam
summer camp for children, held in April. For more photos of Kuttikkoottam
Summer Camp, please click here
[https://www.facebook.com/pg/palliumindia/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1908448095847927]
.)
