Pallium India Newsletter: March 2012
- From: Pallium India Newsletter <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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- Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2012 22:48:46 +0000
Pallium India
Care Beyond Cure
DEAR FRIENDS,
A few days back we had sent you our special issue of newsletter
announcing designation of Pallium India’s TRIVANDRUM INSTITUTE OF PALLIATIVE
SCIENCES (TIPS) [HTTP://TIPSINDIA.ORG] as a WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
COLLABORATING CENTRE (WHOCC) FOR TRAINING AND POLICY ON ACCESS TO PAIN RELIEF.
A few of us were discussing the almost-too-fast growth of TIPS since
its birth in 2006 and during this discussion gave ourselves these three
promises, which we want to share with you.
* We promised to ourselves that we shall not be complacent; but will
recognize the responsibility (and the privilege) that has been bestowed upon us
as agents of change for the person in pain and suffering.
* We pledged that we shall recognize the contribution of each member of
the team and value it, for do we not recognize that no one person can whistle a
symphony and that it takes a whole orchestra to play it?
* Above all, we renewed our commitment to our organization’s core
value: we shall never, ever, permit our organization to grow bigger than the
people we are privileged to serve.
TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED US AND NURTURED OUR ORGANIZATION DURING ITS
CHILDHOOD: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
-
IAHPC TRAVELING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TAKING APPLICATIONS
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/03/IAHPC-SCHOLARSHIP-PROGRAM-APPLICATIONS/]
THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE (IAHPC) HAS
ANNOUNCED IT WILL GRANT TEN SCHOLARSHIPS FROM THE IAHPC TRAVELING SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM.
The money is to help support the travel of palliative care workers in
developing countries to the 7th World Research Congress of the European
Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) [http://forskningsweb.org/research2012/]
. The Research Congress of EAPC will take place in Trondheim, Norway, June 7-9,
2012.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 31, 2012.
APPLY ONLINE AT THE IAHPC WEBSITE…
[HTTP://WWW.HOSPICECARE.COM/TRAVELLSCHOLARS/]
* Applicants must be living in a developing country, be active members
of IAHPC, and actively working in palliative care. APPLICATIONS FROM
PHYSICIANS, NURSES, PSYCHOLOGISTS AND OTHER DISCIPLINES ARE WELCOME.
(Applicants can also join IAHPC on the site
[http://www.hospicecare.com/join.htm] .)
* Preference will be given to individuals who have not received an
IAHPC grant in the past three years with accepted poster or oral presentations
in the Congress.
* EAPC will give discounted registration fees to individuals from
developing countries. Winners of the scholarships will benefit from this
discount.
* Required will be proof of acceptance of the poster or oral
presentation, along with a copy of the applicant’s current CV. Selected
individuals are also eligible to receive a discounted registration fee from the
Congress.
Results will be announced by early April. Click here
[http://forskningsweb.org/research2012/] for additional information about the
EAPC Congress.
-
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS IN PALLIATIVE CARE
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/03/CARDIFF-UNIVERSITY-OFFERS-SCHOLARSHIPS-IN-PALLIATIVE-CARE/]
EXCITING NEWS! THE CARDIFF UNIVERSITY MSC/DIPLOMA IN PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
[HTTP://WWW.PALLIUM.CARDIFF.AC.UK/PHASE3.HTML] IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
FOR ITS DISTANCE LEARNING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 31, 2012
The University has between ten and 20 Commonwealth Scholarships to
support students in India and surrounding Commonwealth countries to undertake
the degree. Last year, the University successfully recruited 18 students from
India who are currently studying the first year of the course. THE CLASSES TAKE
PLACE AT KARUNASHRAYA HOSPICE [HTTP://WWW.KARUNASHRAYA.ORG/] , BANGALORE,
INDIA.
DOWNLOAD THE FLYER: CARDIFF UNIVERSITY DIPLOMA -MSC SCHOLARSHIPS 2012
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/CMS/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/2012/03/CARDIFF-UNIVERSITY-DIPLOMA-MSC-SCHOLARSHIPS-FLYER-2012.PDF]
(PDF)
APPLY HERE: COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP [HTTP://CSCUK.DFID.GOV.UK/APPLY/EAS] &
MSC COURSE [HTTP://WWW.CF.AC.UK/REGIS/GENERAL/APPLYONLINE/INDEX.HTML]
According to JULIE ROWLANDS, Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist
Palliative Care
[http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Aboutus/Healthprofessionals/Macmillan_Clinical_Nurse_Specialists/How_to_become_a_Macmillan_Nurse.aspx]
and Honorary Lecturer at Cardiff University, who sent us the announcement, "
_“they are an excellent cohort of mainly senior doctors from a wide
geographical area. Their aim is to disseminate the knowledge they gain to
improve palliative care provision in their regions.”_"
Here is some information about the program:
* A wonderful scholarship opportunity is available for doctors and
nurses in India and neighbouring Commonwealth Countries to develop their
palliative care knowledge and gain a well recognised qualification from an
established course (originated over 20 years ago).
* With Palliative Medicine becoming a specialty in India these
scholarships are timely for doctors wishing to pursue this branch of medicine.
The course would also stand doctors in good stead for completing an MD in
palliative medicine.
* Our team are committed to supporting palliative care in India and in
2007 Cardiff University signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the
Bangalore Hospice Trust to consolidate our partnership.
* The Diploma in Palliative Medicine teaches best practice in pain
management, symptom control, ethics, understanding and applying research
evidence and effective communication skills as well as the psychological and
social care aspects of patients with life limiting disease.
* This exciting distance learning programme allows clinicians to study
palliative care in the context of their own clinical practice. The MSc
dissertation supports you in undertaking a unique piece of palliative care
research.
* Our Indian students have identified that completing the course has
increased their knowledge and skills and allowed them to develop services and
educate more effectively.
-
A VERY SPECIAL SUMMER CAMP
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/03/VERY-SPECIAL-SUMMER-CAMP/]
PALLIATIVE CARE IS A PERSONAL KIND OF CARE.
It is provided in the home whenever possible. This means that the team
gets to know the family, becoming part of their support system. It wasn’t long
before we realized that children are highly affected when their parents become
ill with cancer or other life-limiting diseases.
KEEPING THIS IS MIND, WE ARE ORGANIZING A 3-DAY SUMMER CAMP FOR
CHILDREN AGE 12-18 WITH PARENTS WHO HAVE HAD LIFE-LIMITING DISEASES. The event
will take place from the 19th to 21st of April 2012 in JMM study center
[http://jmmscentre.blogspot.co.uk/] , Mannanthala, Trivandrum, Kerala.
THE ORGANIZERS WILL PROVIDE PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT TRAINING, CREATIVE
ACTIVITIES, ENTERTAINMENT AND ONE DAY OF OUTING TO MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM. It
will provide the kinds of activities that allow the children a precious
opportunity to leave all their grievances behind for a few days and enjoy
themselves.
PALLIUM INDIA CURRENTLY PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT FOR 150 CHILDREN.
Beyond financial aid for education, we also aim to see these young people grow
up as responsible, confident individuals with good self-esteem.
Read one of the children’s stories below. (Note: names are changed for
confidentiality.) "
Let me introduce you to Archana, a bubbly 12-year-old who loves singing
film songs and playing with her friends. Like other children of her age she
used to go to school and dreamt of acquiring enough education to support her
family one day.
Everything changed when her father Rajappan, 43, was diagnosed with
cancer. A daily wage earner, he could no longer support his family, let alone
find enough money for his treatment.
Poverty forced Archana to drop out of school. As it turned out, this
was just the beginning of her troubles. Neighbours who were supportive in the
beginning started turning up less often. Even her playmates in the neighborhood
stopped talking to her due to misconceptions and myths regarding cancer.
Within a few months what seemed like a promising future for this school
girl turned out to be a murky tunnel with no light at the other end.
PALLIUM INDIA stepped in and provided funds for both Archana and her
sister so that they could stay in school. The organization also assessed the
home situation, and purchased a sewing machine for the family so that they
could earn money from home."
IN ALL, WAYS TO HELP THEM TO BLOSSOM INTO THE LITTLE FLOWERS THEY WERE BORN TO
BE.
-
PALLIATIVE CARE REFRESHER COURSE OFFERS MUCH NEEDED SUPPORT
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/03/PALLIATIVE-CARE-REFRESHER-COURSE-OFFERS-MUCH-NEEDED-SUPPORT]
PALLIUM INDIA’S SIX WEEK COURSE IN PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/COURSES/CCPPM/] HAS BECOME POPULAR AMONG PALLIATIVE
CARE PHYSICIANS.
BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WHEN THEY RETURN TO THEIR RESPECTIVE INSTITUTIONS THEY
FIND THEY FEEL ISOLATED AND LACKING SUPPORT.
OTHER PHYSICIANS AROUND THEM MAY DEEM THE PERSON-CENTERED APPROACH WE
TEACH STRANGE OR UNACCEPTABLE. So too the disclosure of diagnosis, use of
opioids or other key end-of-life care concepts are often out of sync with the
mainstream.
Doctors who complete the course may also have little opportunity to
seek help to cope with problems that crop up, or to update their knowledge.
IN LIGHT OF THIS, PALLIUM INDIA CONCEIVED THE IDEA OF REGULAR REFRESHER
COURSES AS ONE OF THE MEANS OF DEVELOPING A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THESE PHYSICIANS
AND FOR THEIR PALLIATIVE CARE UNITS.
The two-day refresher course on the 17th and 18th of March 2012 was
conducted with the support from Indo-American Cancer Association (IACA)
[http://www.iacaweb.com/] and JivDaya Foundation (JDF)
[http://jivdayafound.org/Jivdaya/] . IACA provided financial support. By
conducting the course back-to-back with the JDF Alumni meeting
[http://palliumindia.org/2012/03/jivdaya-foundations-palliative-care-efforts-grow-by-leaps-and-bounds/]
on 16 March, we could avoid duplication of travel costs of several
participants.
The faculty comprised of Dr Odette Spruyt, Dr V Nandini, Dr Sushma
Bhatnagar, Dr Anjum Joad, Dr Charu Singh (Course coordinator) and Dr
M.R.Rajagopal.
ALL THE SESSIONS WERE DESIGNED TO BE INTERACTIVE. Presentations were
generally limited to 20 minutes, with plenty of time for Q&A and experiential
exercises. Here is some of the feedback we received: "
* “Very useful, refreshing, motivating, stimulating”
* “Important forum to clear doubts”
* “My practice will become polished, efficient and more evidence based”
* “Interaction with other palliative care physicians has helped as I’ve
learnt how others manage patients. It has improved my confidence level” "
WE THANK IACA FOR FUNDING THE PROJECT, JDF FOR ITS SUPPORT, CANKIDS FOR
PROVIDING THE VENUE AND FACILITIES AND DR ODETTE SPRUYT AND COLLEAGUES WHO
FUNDED THEIR OWN TRAVEL AND OTHER EXPENSES.
-
IAHPC DEVELOPS LIST OF ESSENTIAL PRACTICES IN PALLIATIVE CARE
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/02/IAHPC-DEVELOPS-LIST-OF-ESSENTIAL-PRACTICES-IN-PALLIATIVE-CARE/]
Press Release from the International Association for Hospice and
Palliative Care (IAHPC): "
[HTTP://WWW.HOSPICECARE.COM/RESOURCES/EPRACTICE.HTM] THE INTERNATIONAL
ASSOCIATION FOR HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE DEVELOPS A LIST OF ESSENTIAL
PRACTICES IN PALLIATIVE CARE
[HTTP://WWW.HOSPICECARE.COM/RESOURCES/EPRACTICE.HTM] ( DOWNLOAD
[HTTP://WWW.HOSPICECARE.COM/RESOURCES/EPRACTICE.HTM] )
_(Houston TX)_ – In a project which included the participation of
individuals and representatives of pain and palliative care organizations, the
International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC) recently
developed a list of essential practices in palliative care
[http://www.hospicecare.com/resources/epractice.htm] .
Under the framework of the “essential” concept, the IAHPC decided to
work in different projects aimed to identify the “essential” components for
palliative care. This list of Essential Practices follows the IAHPC List of
Essential Medicines in Palliative Care
[http://www.hospicecare.com/resources/emedicine.htm] developed in 2007 and the
Opioid Essential Prescription Package
[http://hospicecare.com/resources/strategic-pain-management.htm] developed in
2011.
The list of essential practices in palliative care for health workers
working in primary care includes those practices aimed at meeting the most
prevalent physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs of palliative
care patients and their families.
To work on this proposal, IAHPC formed a working group which included
board members of IAHPC and external advisors from the field. The working group
developed a plan of action and methodology which included a Delphi process
among 425 health practitioners, primary care providers, and palliative care
experts from 63 different countries around the globe, and a ranking survey with
representatives from 45 international palliative care and pain relief
organizations.
– READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE…
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/02/IAHPC-DEVELOPS-LIST-OF-ESSENTIAL-PRACTICES-IN-PALLIATIVE-CARE/]
"
-
OUR USA ARM, PALLIUM INDIA-USA CONTINUES TO BE ACTIVE AND BUSY…
A MEANINGFUL GAME [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/02/A-MEANINGFUL-GAME/]
MANY OF US THINK WE KNOW HOW WE WANT TO LIVE OUR LIVES. BUT HOW MANY HAVE SAT
DOWN AND DISCUSSED HOW WE’D LIKE OUR LIVES TO END?
The Go Wish [http://www.gowish.org/] card game is a powerful tool that
we have recently discovered and used. It is a thought-provoking and helpful way
to bring out one’s core personal values for end of life care that we wish to
receive. Here is the description of the game from the web site: "
[http://www.gowish.org/] Go Wish [http://www.gowish.org/] gives you an
easy, even entertaining way to talk about what is most important to you. The
cards help you find words to talk about what is important if you were to be
living a life that may be shortened by serious illness.
Playing the game with your relatives or best friends can help you learn
how you can best comfort your loved ones when they need you most.
* Each deck has 36 cards. Thirty-five of the cards describe things that
people often say are important when they are very sick or dying.
* The cards describe how people want to be treated, who they want near
them, and what matters to them.
* One card is a ‘wild card.’ You can use this card to stand for
something you want that isn’t on any of the other cards. "
This past November, PALLIUM INDIA-USA
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/ABOUT/USA/] met to try out using this important tool.
We wanted to find out about our own end of life plans and questions, as well as
to discover the best ways to serve the community as hospice volunteers and
advisers on end of life planning.
Ms Cindy Safe, Executive Director of the Coda Alliance
[http://www.codaalliance.org/] , a community-based, not-for-profit organization
that helps individuals and their families plan and prepare for the concluding
passages of life led the activity. It took place at member Saroj Pathak’s house
in Los Altos Hills, CA.
Very interesting discussions followed. For the participants, who are
involved in the field as Pallium India-USA volunteers, and for many of us, also
as healthcare professionals, it was an eye-opening experience. We were
surprised to learn, for example, how a phrase like “maintain my dignity” held
different meanings for different people.
A WORTHWHILE ACTIVITY, AND WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND MS SAFE AND THE GO WISH GAME TO
ANYONE AS A WAY TO BEGIN OPENING UP AND TALKING ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC.
PLAY ONLINE! TRY THE GO WISH GAME HERE…
[HTTP://WWW.GOWISH.ORG/STATICPAGES/INDEX.PHP/THEGAME]
-
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO ADVANCE CARE PLANNING
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/03/ADVANCE-HEALTHCARE-DIRECTIVES/]
WHAT ARE YOUR WISHES FOR THE END OF YOUR LIFE?
This is not always an easy topic to raise. Fear, unease, and denial are
common responses. Even for those who have already been diagnosed with a serious
or life limiting disease, committing the plans to paper is often emotionally
challenging.
PALLIUM INDIA-USA [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/ABOUT/USA/] has made it
its mission to educate the Indian community living in the USA about how to
embark on this kind of advance care planning. They take a culturally sensitive
approach that is working well as they reach out to the community.
_Pictured from left to right: Saroj Pathak, Jayashree Desale, Mira Nagrani,
Zarina Kaji, Madhu Khanna, Dr Raji Ayyar, Dr Jerina Kapoor_
ON MARCH 21, 2012, PALLIUM INDIA-USA GAVE A PRESENTATION TO THE SENIORS
AT THE INDIA COMMUNITY CENTER [HTTP://WWW.INDIACC.ORG/] IN CUPERTINO,
CALIFORNIA. The talk was greatly appreciated by the many seniors in the
community who turned out for the presentation.
THE EVENT STARTED WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY DR JERINA KAPOOR, CHAIR OF
THE ORGANIZATION, about Pallium India-USA’s mission and the significance of
Advance Health Care Directives in our lives.
_A packed house at the India Community Center_
DR RAJI AYYAR, AN ONCOLOGIST, then gave a powerful presentation on the
details of Advance Health Care Directives, enriched with examples from her own
professional and personal life.
PALLIUM INDIA-USA VOLUNTEER MS ZARINA KAJI THEN TOOK TIME TO EXPLAIN TO
THE AUDIENCE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION’S HOSPICE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM.
To cap it off, participants took home copies of a user-friendly
California Advance Health Care Directive form
[http://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/adv_hc_dir] .
IN ALL, TIME WELL SPENT FOR BOTH THE PRESENTERS AND AUDIENCE MEMBERS.
-
IN OTHER NEWS
50/50: A MUST SEE FILM [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/03/5050-A-MUST-SEE-FILM]
YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS THE FEATURE FILM “50/50”
[HTTP://WWW.50-50THEMOVIE.COM/] DIRECTED BY JONATHAN LEVINE.
WATCH THE TRAILER ON OUR BLOG…
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/03/5050-A-MUST-SEE]
Inspired by a true story, the film shows you a 27 year old man given a
50% chance of cure – a story of cancer, its treatment and human relationships:
* The insensitive, jargon-filled disclosure of the diagnosis;
* the patient’s predictable reactions (predictable to everyone except
the doctor);
* the artificial _touch_ by the psychologist who is trying hard to keep
therapeutic distance (she also has the agenda of including this case history in
her dissertation! So familiar!);
* the camaraderie among patients, and…
* the broken relationships and evolution of new meaningful bonds.
This film is a must-see for everyone in medical and related
professions. Our friends at SevenPonds Blog have a well-written review
[http://blog.sevenponds.com/lending-insight/film-review-5050] that you might
also want to read: "
_ “The movie is at once a comedy, a drama, and a romance – you’ll
laugh one second and cry the next, and leave ultimately satisfied…”
[http://blog.sevenponds.com/lending-insight/film-review-5050] _"
The director tries hard to keep us happy in the end. The disease gets
cured, the cancer survivor and the psychologist get united, and presumably, are
supposed to live happily ever after.
WELL, MAY BE, JONATHAN LEVINE WILL BRING OUT ANOTHER FILM SOME DAY ABOUT THE
STRUGGLES OF THE CANCER SURVIVOR, ESPECIALLY IN A COUNTRY LIKE INDIA.
* 50/50 official website [http://www.50-50themovie.com/]
* Watch more clips here
[http://www.youtube.com/user/trailers/videos?query=50+%2F+50] , available now
on DVD or rent the full film on Youtube
[http://www.youtube.com/movie?v=jQoo7Xhhv_s] .
-
MORE ATTENTION ON ACCESS TO PAIN RELIEF AS A HUMAN RIGHT…
NIGERIA IMPROVES ACCESS TO PAIN RELIEF
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/03/NIGERIA-IMPROVES-ACCESS-TO-PAIN-RELIEF/]
WE WERE VERY PLEASED TO HEAR LAST WEEK FROM MEG O’BRIEN, PH.D., DIRECTOR OF THE
GLOBAL ACCESS TO PAIN RELIEF INITIATIVE [HTTP://WWW.TREATTHEPAIN.COM/] (GAPRI)
OF ITS COLLABORATION
[HTTP://WWW.UICC.ORG/PROGRAMMES/NIGERIA-ANNOUNCES-COLLABORATION-GAPRI-IMPROVE-ACCESS-ESSENTIAL-PAIN-MEDICINES]
WITH THE NIGERIAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH [HTTP://WWW.FMH.GOV.NG/] .
We were even more heartened to see that the story has now been picked
up by the _New York Times_
[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/health/policy/nigeria-to-import-morphine-in-pain-relief-initiative.html?_r=1]
, in an article headlined “Nigeria to Import Morphine in Pain Relief
Initiative”
[http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/06/health/policy/nigeria-to-import-morphine-in-pain-relief-initiative.html?_r=2]
by health reporter Donald G. McNeil, Jr. Meg sent us this information: "
… the Honourable Minister of Health of Nigeria, Prof. C.O. Onyebuchi
Chukwu, held a press conference at the Abuja Sheraton hotel to announce a new
collaboration with the GLOBAL ACCESS TO PAIN RELIEF INITIATIVE (GAPRI) to make
essential pain relief available for Nigerians who need it.
The first step in the effort was the initiation of an emergency
procurement of 26 kg of morphine by the government. Since only 1 kg has been
procured since 2007 and Nigeria has the largest unmet need for pain relief in
Sub-Saharan Africa, this represents an important first step to changing the
landscape of access to pain relief both in Nigeria and in the region.
The Minister of Health earlier this month signed an agreement with
GAPRI to provide technical assistance to the government as well as provide a
full-time staff member who will serve as the Special Assistant to the Director
of the Food and Drug Services Department on Access to Pain Relief.
This progress is a direct result of lobbying by the national Cancer
Control Programme and support from the Center for Palliative Care, Nigeria, the
Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Nigeria
[http://www.pcn-e.com/community/pg/profile/HPCAN] , the African Palliative Care
Association [http://www.apca.org.ug/] , and Hospice Africa Uganda
[http://www.hospiceafrica.or.ug/] .
GAPRI’s involvement would not have been possible without the support of
these organizations, and particularly, Prof. Isaac Adewole and Prof. Olaitan
Soyannwo, who invited us in and helped us to plan the technical proposal.
The press release from the Hon. Minister is available here:
http://www.uicc.org/programmes/nigeria-announces-collaboration-gapri-improve-access-essential-pain-medicines
[http://www.uicc.org/programmes/nigeria-announces-collaboration-gapri-improve-access-essential-pain-medicines]
"
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THIS MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT.
-
GLOBAL PAIN CRISIS ON CBS NEWS
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/03/GLOBAL-PAIN-CRISIS-ON-CBS-NEWS/]
THE MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE GLOBAL PAIN CRISIS APPEARS TO HAVE TRULY HIT THE
TIPPING POINT.
In a segment aired on March 11, “ A WORLD OF PAIN
[HTTP://WWW.CBSNEWS.COM/8301-3445_162-57394982/A-WORLD-OF-PAIN/] ,” CBS News in
the USA discussed the pressing need for access to pain relief in the developing
world.
WATCH THE SEGMENT ON OUR BLOG…
[http://palliumindia.org/2012/03/global-pain-crisis-on-cbs-news/]
The segment was developed with the research done by a group of
University of British Columbia students in partnership with Al Jazeera. You may
have already heard about their documentary, Freedom From Pain
[http://palliumindia.org/2011/07/documentary-freedom-from-pain/] .
CBS News anchor Bob Simon spoke with Human Rights Watch
[http://www.hrw.org/] Senior Researcher, Diederik Lohman
[http://www.hrw.org/bios/diederik-lohman] , a tireless advocate for pain relief
and palliative care in the developing world, who provided much needed context
on how the pain crisis began and what needs to be done to ensure that no one
suffers unnecessarily. "
_“WHEN WE STARTED WORKING ON THIS, I WAS ACTUALLY STRUCK BY THE
PARALLELS YOU SEE IN THE TESTIMONY YOU GET FROM YOUR TRADITIONAL TORTURE VICTIM
AND SOMEONE WHO HAS CANCER PAIN THAT IS NOT RELIEVED.____AND SO WHAT YOU SEE IS
THAT YOUR TYPICAL TORTURE VICTIM WILL SIGN A CONFESSION AND THE TORTURE ENDS.
THE PATIENT WITH PAIN DOESN’T HAVE THAT OPTION.”_"
The news piece also includes a map of the world that shows the stark
contrast between wealthy countries and poorer ones, in terms of their access to
morphine for medical use. (@1m28s)
There are further interviews with palliative care leaders such as Dr.
Anne Merriman
[http://www.hospiceafrica.or.ug/index.php?mod=article&cat=pubs&article=77] and
Dr. Mhoira Leng
[http://palliumindia.org/2010/07/dr-mhoira-leng%e2%80%99s-experiences-in-mizoram/]
, and some heart wrenching but powerful stories of the hope that pain relief
has brought to patients in Africa.
WE CONGRATULATE THE STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, ALONG WITH HRW
AND THE OTHERS IN THE SEGMENT, FOR SO CLEARLY DEMONSTRATING TO A US AUDIENCE
THAT PAIN RELIEF IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.
-
JIVDAYA FOUNDATION’S PALLIATIVE CARE EFFORTS GROW BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/03/JIVDAYA-FOUNDATIONS-PALLIATIVE-CARE-EFFORTS-GROW-BY-LEAPS-AND-BOUNDS/]
JIVDAYA FOUNDATION (JDF) [HTTP://WWW.JIVDAYAFOUND.ORG] BASED IN
DALLAS, TEXAS, USA WAS FOUNDED BY DR VINAY JAIN AND HIS WIFE. The foundation
got into palliative care work in India in 2010 and started supporting three
organizations. In 2011, the list grew to about a dozen new ones. Great progress
indeed, and we send our congratulations to Dr Vinay Jain and team.
JDF HELD ITS ANNUAL REVIEW MEETING IN HOTEL MAPPLE EMERALD, NEW DELHI
ON 16 MARCH 2012. Representatives from all JDF-supported centers and potential
collaborators got together to share experiences and to make plans for future.
This turned to be a good opportunity for many working in the field to connect
in person and learn from one another.
DR VINAY JAIN DOES A GREAT DEAL TOWARDS STRENGTHENING ORGANIZATIONS FOR
THE LONG HAUL. JDF assists palliative care teams treating cancer patients by
funding salaries of essential staff and by facilitating a system of
documentation. Pallium India’s Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences
(TIPS)
[http://palliumindia.org/2012/03/pallium-india-flagship-program-named-who-collaborating-center/]
is one of the recipients of JDF’s assistance.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH DR VINAY JAIN AND TEAM!
_Image: JivDaya Foundation web site_
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AWARDING-WINNING LIFE BEFORE DEATH SERIES CONTINUES…
The “LIFE Before Death” [http://www.lifebeforedeath.com/movie/] series
of short movies continue to be released, one every week. They are not only very
informative to the public; but also make powerful advocacy material for the
palliative care community.
Here are the 4 films released in March:
* #43: Talking About It
[http://palliumindia.org/2012/03/life-before-death-43-talking-about-it/]
* #42: How will you die?
[http://palliumindia.org/2012/03/life-before-death-42-how-will-you-die/]
* #41: Demand It
[http://palliumindia.org/2012/03/life-before-death-41-demand-it/]
* #40: Grassroots Palliative Care
[http://palliumindia.org/2012/03/life-before-death-40-grassroots-palliative-care/]
Thank you, Mike Hill and team of Moonshine Movies and thank you, Lien
foundation,International Association for the Study of Pain, The Mayday Fund,
the Union for International Cancer Control and The Institute for Palliative
Medicine at San Diego Hospice International Programs. For more information and
to view the entire series, visit the Life Before Death website…
[http://www.lifebeforedeath.com/movie/]
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PARTING SHOT
DOES ANGER HAVE A PLACE IN OUR WORK?
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/03/DOES-ANGER-HAVE-A-PLACE-IN-OUR-WORK/]
MANY OF US HAVE COME TO SEE ANGER AS A NEGATIVE EMOTION. BUT, CAN IT HAVE ANY
POSITIVE EFFECT? LET US TELL YOU HOW THE QUESTION CAME UP.
Dr Robert Twycross is _THE_ palliative care guru of India. He taught
almost all the first generation palliative care physicians in India and through
them, the subsequent generation. (See the writeup about our Bruce Davis
Training Centre
[http://palliumindia.org/2011/11/bruce-davis-training-centre-inaugurated/] to
see how his pioneering work continues to inspire.)
He has retired now, but came back to India and took part in the annual
conference of the Indian Association of Palliative Care
[http://www.iapckolkata2012.org/index.html] (IAPCON 2012) organized by Dr
Arundhati Chakraborty, held in Kolkata last month. In a moving event, his
students gave him a plaque of honor. We strongly recommend that you take half
an hour to see and to listen to his entire lecture – CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE
LECTURE ON OUR BLOG…
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2012/03/DOES-ANGER-HAVE-A-PLACE-IN-OUR-WORK/]
If you can’t spare half an hour (we pity you!) here are some gems from
his talk: "
1. YOU NEED TO BE ANGRY. DO YOU NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO BE ANGRY ABOUT?
* 99% of the needy in India do not have access to pain relief;
* Most of some 300 odd medical colleges in the country (except for some
five or six) fail to teach pain management and palliative care.
_These facts alone may make “anger in compassion” well up in you,
forcing you in to action.__ If so, let that anger be a catalyst for change!_
2. It’s time to redefine what constitutes a medical emergency.
It should include, for example, someone with a limited life span who has not
had a good night’s sleep in three months.
3. Miminise formality, maximise humanity.
The bigger your organization becomes, the more formal it becomes. It takes
effort to retain humanity."
Dr Twycross ended his lecture by quoting Pallium India newsletter of
March 2009. He asked all the young people in the audience to take down the
quote, put it on a plaque and to keep it on their wall: "
“WE SHOULD NOT PERMIT THE GROWTH AND ROUTINIZATION OF PALLIATIVE CARE TO TAKE
AWAY ITS SOUL. IT WILL BE A HAPPY DAY WHEN PALLIATIVE CARE REACHES MOST OF THE
NEEDY IN THE COUNTRY; BUT IT WILL BE A SAD, SAD DAY, IF IN THE PROCESS
PALLIATIVE CARE COMES TO BE DELIVERED JUST WITH THE BRAIN, AND THE ‘EYES OF THE
HEART’ DO NOT OPEN ANY MORE!”
"
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AS ALWAYS, WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AND WE INVITE YOUR
RESPONSES TO ANY AND ALL THAT YOU HAVE READ HERE.
[http://palliumindia.org/manifesto]
DON’T FORGET TO SIGN THE MORPHINE MANIFESTO
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/MANIFESTO] !
Other related posts:
- » Pallium India Newsletter: March 2012 - Pallium India Newsletter
