Pallium India
Care Beyond Cure
* ~~~~~~~~~~ *
! March 2019 !
* ~~~~~~~~~~ *
https://palliumindia.org/?p=8736
March 1, 2019
DR MICHAEL MINTON WRITES ABOUT IAPCON 2019
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2019/02/DR-MICHAEL-MINTON-WRITES-ABOUT-IAPCON-2019/]
_We are grateful to Dr Michael Minton, Palliative Care doctor and
long-term friend of Indian palliative care from Oxford, UK, for sending us this
report on the recently concluded IAPCON at Kochi:_
[Image: Liz and Dr Michael Minton, with Dr Raviteja and Dr Sushma from
CMC, Vellore] IAPCON 2019 [http://www.iapconkochi2019.com/] greeted us in ;
Keralan style, a venue in the Aeli hills set in an attractive outdoor setting
(provided free) with three large marquees for the meeting, and a temperature
which was a challenge for some of us.
The theme was ‘Voices’ which had a thought-out evolution over the three
days demonstrating a wide representation of topics and speakers. This ranged
from individual patient challenges as presented eloquently, for example, by a
young quadriplegic, the voice of the isolated carer ( caregiversaathi.co.in
[https://caregiversaathi.co.in/] ;), the needs of children, and the challenges
of working with the voiceless. Mental health and psycho-social issues were well
represented. The concept of palliative psychiatry was voiced.
A new feature, which I thought worked well, was case-based discussions
where a clinical case eg. dementia (which I attended), Parkinson’s, head and
neck cancer, the bed ridden patient were presented and then followed by a
discussion of the topic with experts in the field with contributions from the
audience.
In contrast, there was a stimulating talk about the relationship with
media and a powerful analysis by Sashi Kumar of the needs and failures of the
press/media to participate in some of the big social need questions. It was
refreshing to have such a socially conscious programme. This was Voices!
My wife Liz and I had the privilege of reviewing some of the posters.
This always provides insight into the range of activities that palliative care
has facilitated and the hard work involved. Over the years the quality of the
work has continued to improve and ranges from complex clinical studies to
descriptive cases. It takes time to appreciate the posters but often they get
neglected and don’t get enough space. The only solution, I suggest, is to have
the posters on display in the refreshment area where they will gain the
exposure they deserve.
Geeta Joshi and I chaired a plenary where senior nurse Alice Stella
rallied her colleagues to develop education in leadership skills and reinforced
the vital role of nurses in the palliative care team. It was an important
contribution and was given alongside Richard Harding reminding us of the
importance of measuring the outcomes of what we do (eg use of the African
POScale). This is of course important not only for the patient but provides
objective data to gain funding. The wider definition of PC as proposed by the
International Association of Hospice and Palliative Care
[https://hospicecare.com/home/] ;(IAHPC) and presented by Lukas Radbruch is all
embracing. To those experiencing serious health related suffering it is
exemplary as an humanitarian approach. However the debate is whether such an
all encompassing definition is distinctive enough for health care funders of
palliative care?
On the final day there were intense, well argued, discussions
highlighting the ongoing difficulties of patients on life support. The latest
legal guidance from the Supreme Court recognises the legitimacy of withdrawing
treatment. It is termed “passive euthanasia” by the lawyers. This guidance has
proved impractical and bureaucratic to deliver and hence IAPC working with
Critical Care is having to request a review of these procedures.
Dr Odette Spruyt, a great friend of Indian palliative care, was sadly
unable to be at the conference this year; she herself has undergone cancer
treatment. However she had made a video for the conference offering us her
reflections of being a patient and highlighting the importance of
relationships. The recognition of these personal touches, verbal and physical,
that health care professionals can convey and mean so much.
There were of course many presentations that I did not hear but the
conference atmosphere was buzzing and I felt the large delegation of over one
thousand had an imaginative range of topics to hear and discuss.
Conferences involve huge organisational challenges and while there were
some challenges accessing the venue, the content was creative, broad and most
importantly represented the growing Indian palliative care scene.
–
A THREE-DECADES-LONG MISSION:
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2019/02/A-THREE-DECADES-LONG-MISSION/]
Cancer Relief International and Pallium India have joined hands to do a
series of educational programs aimed at empowerment of medical and nursing
students in Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
This is a mission that Gilly Burn had embarked on in the 1980s. She
travelled from place to place in India as the manifestation of her love affair
with this country. She would talk palliative care to anyone who would listen
and has energised scores of professionals and volunteer champions to get into
this field.
Dr Rajagopal, Chairman of Pallium India says, “I personally am
immensely grateful to Providence that I came across this great human being at
Trivandrum in 1992. Gilly took me along with 5 other Indian doctors on a 10
week course in Oxford conducted by Dr Robert Twycross which lay the foundation
of quality palliative care in me and in numerous others.”
–
THE DIFFERENTLY-ABLED-TALK
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2019/02/THE-DIFFERENTLY-ABLED-TALK/]
There was some beauty about it. And a lot of energy. A hall full of
people – both _exceptionally abled_ and _ordinarily abled_ – got together to
discuss how to move forward for the rights of the former group. This was at the
Krithi Literary Festival organized at Marine Drive, Kochi, on 14th February.
In the picture you see Basheer and Rabiya, two activists, very vocal
and very effective. Rabiya’s activism isn’t confined to the differently abled;
she fights against any injustice. She has received death threats but she is
unfazed.
There is so much enthusiasm among groups of the differently abled in
various parts of the state and in the country. What amazing strength can result
if they all got together! Dr Javed Anees, your sincerity and commitment are
infectious. Congratulations on the successful organization of the event.
–
FURTHER THOUGHTS ON THE PROBLEM WE ARE RESPONDING TO: A VIEW FROM KERALA
[HTTPS://LANCETCOMMISSIONONTHEVALUEOFDEATH.HOME.BLOG/2019/02/12/FURTHER-THOUGHTS-ON-THE-PROBLEM-WE-ARE-RESPONDING-TO-A-VIEW-FROM-KERALA/]
“… when the person needs a human touch most, that is denied to the
person. That human touch and care by relatives is replaced by treatment in an
ICU at an enormous cost to the person and the family, both in terms of
suffering and money.” Read the complete article posted by Dr Richard Smith,
former editor of British Medical Journal, quoting Dr Rajagopal:
https://lancetcommissiononthevalueofdeath.home.blog/2019/02/12/further-thoughts-on-the-problem-we-are-responding-to-a-view-from-kerala/
[https://lancetcommissiononthevalueofdeath.home.blog/2019/02/12/further-thoughts-on-the-problem-we-are-responding-to-a-view-from-kerala/]
–
WHY FAMILY CAREGIVERS NEED A HAND TO HOLD
[HTTPS://SWARAJYAMAG.COM/INFRASTRUCTURE/WHY-FAMILY-CAREGIVERS-NEED-A-HAND-TO-HOLD]
_Swati Kamal, Swarajya Mag_
When Kumud Kalia’s husband was diagnosed with the rare disease,
Shy-Drager syndrome, with no known cure, she experienced a plethora of
emotions. “I was numb initially, and then I wanted to hide. I felt I could
fight it and was determined to cure him. Acceptance came over time, but the
anxiety never left. I wanted to do everything myself and did not want to take
help. I also became very bitter with people who I felt did not empathise
enough, and the result was withdrawal and social isolation. I felt guilty
taking a break and going out, even though it did provide relief. The emotions
are so high that you cannot talk about it, and people are also wary of
approaching you. Yet, each time I was offered help, I was grateful”.
Read More->
https://swarajyamag.com/infrastructure/why-family-caregivers-need-a-hand-to-hold
[https://swarajyamag.com/infrastructure/why-family-caregivers-need-a-hand-to-hold]
–
DR MHOIRA LENG RETURNS TO MIZORAM
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2019/02/DR-MHOIRA-LENG-RETURNS-TO-MIZORAM/]
Dr. Mhoira’s association with Mizoram goes back almost ten years. She
visited Aizawl again this Feb to reunite with her spirit that lives in the Mizo
culture.
She again called on the government sectors and hospitals encouraging
decision makers and enthusiasts to develop palliative care in all corners of
Mizoram. She met the principal of the new medical college and elicited a
promise to include palliative care education in the curriculum. She met the
National Health Mission head and urged him to build palliative care units in
each district hospital and monitor the progress. She met the Principal of the
Theological college to include palliative care in pastor studies and be the
lead in mobilising the community in building palliative care. She visited the
State Cancer Institute to reminiscence old memories of starting the first
palliative care unit in that hospital!
Along with meeting officials and influencing them, she went around the
Synod Hospital wards checking on patients with substance abuse and HIV and
shared her learning from Uganda to further develop palliative care to these
suffering patients in Aizawl. She also motivated the doctors and nurses through
her teachings in the ten day program for the district hospitals team.
Her way with the local culture, the Scottish association with the
rituals & food and the amalgamation of faith, makes her win every Mizo heart!
Every Mizo heart jumped when she wore a “puan” (the traditional Mizo ladies
wraparound) and a child shouted from a corner… “Beautiful lady !!!”
–
RECOGNITION FOR PALLIUM INDIA
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2019/02/RECOGNITION-FOR-PALLIUM-INDIA/]
Three purses came to Pallium India this month, along with greatly
valued recognition in the form of awards.
The first was Attukal Amba Puraskaram, from Attukal Bhagavathy temple
administration, on February 12, 2019. Attukal temple is a place of worship
where millions of women get together every year for the famous Pongala. The
temple administration believes that worship of the suffering is worship of God,
and engages in a lot of philanthropic activities. It was particularly pleasing
that the award was handed over by the mega star of Malayalam screen Shri Bharat
Mammootty, who is also a humanist, and a patron of the Pain and Palliative Care
Society of Calicut, for over twenty years.
The second came from K. V. Abdul Azeez Anusmarana Vedi. The award
instituted to commemorate the memory of a great philanthropist was handed over
to us by Prof C. Raveendranath, the Hon’ble minister for Education of
Government of Kerala on February 14. (_Image: Professor Ravindranath, Kerala
State Minister for Education, lighting the lamp at Smriti Charitable trust
event at Thrissur._)
The third was the professional excellence award from Rotary East
Trivandrum. This Rotary Club has been helping Pallium India for many years now.
We are greatly honoured and promise to fulfil your expectations to the
best of our ability. We assure you that the purse which came with each award
will be used for bringing succour to the needy and the suffering.
–
“WE ARE HERE TO LEARN”: SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS’ EDUCATION PROGRAM
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2019/01/WE-ARE-HERE-TO-LEARN/]
SUPPORT OUR BUDDING STARS TO HAVE A BETTER FUTURE
_“Cancer is my prison, and intolerable suffering is the sentence on my
family…”_
The brunt of suffering from life threatening and life limiting diseases
is inflicted not just upon the patient, but on the whole family. Such ordeal
drains the sufferer and the family physically, psychologically, socially,
spiritually and, most importantly, financially.
According to Insurance Regulatory Authority of India, out-of-pocket
expenditure in India is as high as 62%. This means that out of every ₹100 spent
for healthcare, ₹62 is incurred by the people. This burden is compounded in
case of prolonged and serious suffering. Other than the physical and mental
trauma, catastrophic expenditure pushes families into dire poverty which
further deteriorates their condition and drags them deep into the uncertainties
of life.
Pallium India works with patients and their families saddled by
protracted suffering. When a family member has serious life threatening
disease, children in the family lose out on care, support and guidance when
they need it the most. Most often families may not be able to continue
supporting their children’s education or children may be forced to forgo their
education in want of looking after their family member. Pallium India provides
educational support for these children.
You can help Pallium India support education of children from
underprivileged families who receive palliative care from us. There are
countless deserving families, but we are able to reach only a fraction of them.
The following are the fee details per student:
Up to 12th std: ₹8000 per year
Degree: ₹10,000 per year
Professional courses: ₹35000 per year
CLICK HERE TO DONATE AND SUPPORT OUR EDUCATION SUPPORT INITIATIVES
[https://palliumindia.org/donate/] ;
–
WHEN PALLIATIVE CARE IS MORE THAN A LAST CHANCE
[HTTPS://WWW.THEHINDU.COM/NEWS/CITIES/KOCHI/WHEN-PALLIATIVE-CARE-IS-MORE-THAN-A-LAST-CHANCE/ARTICLE26219562.ECE]
_Shyama Rajagopal writes in The Hindu_
A 53-year-old dancer was shunned by her family when she developed
schizoaffective disorder, which remained untreated for five years.
However, after volunteers of the Mental Health Action group found her
and treated her, she gradually recovered and now lives peacefully with her son.
It was the palliative care approach to a psychiatric condition that helped her
get back.
Read more:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/when-palliative-care-is-more-than-a-last-chance/article26219562.ece
[https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/when-palliative-care-is-more-than-a-last-chance/article26219562.ece]
–
CONGRATULATIONS DR. LALCHHANHIMA RALTE
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2019/02/CONGRATULATIONS-DR-LALCHHANHIMA-RALTE/]
We are so very proud to announce that Pallium India’s fellow traveller
in Mizoram, Dr. Lalchhanhima Ralte, has been awarded the US Govt. Fulbright
Humphrey Scholarship to do a one year Fellowship in Substance Abuse starting
August 2019 at Virginia University, Richmond and at NIH NIDA Washington DC.
Proud of you, Dr Ralte. Keep spreading your wings!
–
MEET THIS PHILANTHROPIST
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2019/02/MEET-THIS-PHILANTHROPIST/]
Meet Mr Ravi Thomas, an educationist who provided the lavish premises
of Aeli Hills at Aluva _gratis_ for conducting the annual International
conference of Indian Association of Palliative Care ( IAPCONKochi2019
[http://www.iapconkochi2019.com/] ;) from 8 to 10 February 2019, with
pre-conference workshops on the previous day. The conference was held under the
leadership of Dr Hyder Ali of Anwar palliative care. The scientific committee
provided a rich academic feast.
With Mr Ravi Thomas in the picture is Rev Fr Abraham Varghese, a
palliative care pioneer who was instrumental in the Palliative care network
under Mar Thoma Church.
Now that he has met palliative care at close quarters, Mr Ravi Thomas
intends to enter the field and to help remove some suffering in our community.
–
CLINICAL FELLOWSHIP IN PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE IN HYDERABAD
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2019/02/CLINICAL-FELLOWSHIP-IN-PEDIATRIC-PALLIATIVE-CARE-IN-HYDERABAD/]
MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre & Two Worlds
Cancer Collaboration jointly announce a 1-Year Clinical Fellowship in Pediatric
Palliative Care in Hyderabad, Telangana.
LAST DATE TO APPLY: MARCH 15, 2019
Starting Date of Fellowship: July 1, 2019
Eligibility: Post-graduate degree (MD/DCh/DNB), Pediatrics preferred.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM
[https://palliumindia.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1yr-PPC-Fellowship-Application.docx]
Additionally, for all doctors or nurses who have an interest in a short
course in Pediatric Palliative Care, there is a ONE-MONTH ADVANCED CERTIFICATE
COURSE IN PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE at MNJ Institute of Oncology and RCC. All
health care providers who have some experience in palliative care can apply.
This course runs twice each year, with participants spending 1 month in
Hyderabad.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR TO APPLY, contact the Program Coordinator, Ms.
Vineela Rapelli at: mnj.palliative@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:mnj.palliative@xxxxxxxxx] ;
–
VACANCY: PALLIATIVE CARE PHYSICIAN AT TRIVANDRUM
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/06/VACANCY-PALLIATIVE-CARE-PHYSICIAN-AT-TRIVANDRUM/]
ORGANIZATION: Pallium India [http://www.palliumindia.org] ;
JOB TITLE: Palliative Care Physician
NO. OF VACANCIES: 2
NATURE OF JOB: Permanent – Full Time
REMUNERATION: Depends on Qualification & Experience
LOCATION: Pallium India Trust, VP XIII/80, Golden Hills, Venkode.P.O,
Thiruvananthapuram – 695028
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION: M.B.B.S from a recognized university
DESIRED QUALIFICATION: Trained in Palliative Care
EXPERIENCE: Fresher /1-2 years
JOB DESCRIPTION
* Provide symptom management, pain relief and supportive care for the
patient in inpatient care, outpatient clinic and home based care.
* Facilitate clarification to patient and family regarding goals of
care.
* Facilitate information sharing and decision making regarding patient
care.
* In addition to providing expert symptom management, devote time to
intensive family meetings, ensure co-ordinated care across health care
settings, link patients and family members to support groups and other services
and improve access to information so patients can make confident, well-informed
decisions about their care.
* Consult with fellow physicians and the interdisciplinary team in
establishing a written plan of care at intervals specified in the plan.
* Adhere to the practice of confidentiality regarding patients,
families, staff, and the organization.
* Assist in the development of standards of care and practice.
* Participate first and organise academic sessions and training
programs for skill development.
* Facilitate and participate awareness campaigns in the community.
* Collaborate with similar Palliative care organisations and oncology
community to create awareness and advocate for palliative care in India and
overseas.
* Undertake and guide research and projects in the field of Palliative
care.
HOW TO APPLY: Interested candidates please send detailed and updated CV
to hr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:hr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] with subject as ;
“_Application for Palliative Care Physician_”. "
For more details, contact
Arathy V Nair, Human Resources: +91 9746745501
Email: hr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:hr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] " ;
–
10-DAY FOUNDATION COURSE AT MIZORAM
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2019/02/10-DAY-FOUNDATION-COURSE-AT-MIZORAM/]
[https://palliumindia.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Synod-Hospital-1.jpg] ;
Pallium India, in collaboration with Synod Hospital, Aizawl and the
National Health Mission Mizoram, completed a ten-day foundation course in
palliative care for doctors and nurses from all 8 districts of Mizoram. Dr
Mhoira Leng and Sister Stella were the guest faculty, along with palliative
care experts from Synod Hospital and State Cancer Institute, Aizawl.
Thanks to Dr. Eric Zomawia, Mission Director – National Health Mission
Mizoram, who invited the doctors and nurses from all districts of Mizoram, and
to the wonderful Synod Hospital team – Dr. Sangluna, Dr. Ralte and Mr. Sena –
who ensured smooth delivery of training at their hospital in addition to their
daily duties all through the ten days.
–
WAY FORWARD IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2019/02/WAY-FORWARD-IN-HIMACHAL-PRADESH/]
Himachal Pradesh is one of the states where Pallium India is working
with the state government to improve access to palliative care.
Thanks to the interest shown by Shri Probhod Saxena IAS, principal
secretary of health and thanks to the dynamism of Dr Gopal Chauhan of the
national health mission of the state, we had 11 enthusiastic doctors attending
a foundation course in palliative medicine with us in Trivandrum. We have more
than enough reason to be optimistic.
Dear doctors in Himachal Pradesh, all of us at Pallium India look
forward to working with you to reduce health-related suffering in your
beautiful state.
–
PODCAST – EVALUATING COMMUNITY PALLIATIVE CARE IN KERALA, INDIA
[HTTP://ENDOFLIFESTUDIES.ACADEMICBLOGS.CO.UK/PODCAST-EVALUATING-COMMUNITY-PALLIATIVE-CARE-IN-KERALA-INDIA/]
Professor David Clark, Dr Suresh Kumar, and Professor Devi Vijay
discuss the current model of community palliative care in Kerala, its history,
and achievements. CLick here to listen :
http://endoflifestudies.academicblogs.co.uk/podcast-evaluating-community-palliative-care-in-kerala-india/
[http://endoflifestudies.academicblogs.co.uk/podcast-evaluating-community-palliative-care-in-kerala-india/]
–
THE GREY FACTOR [HTTPS://WWW.FIRSTPOST.COM/INDIA/THE-GREY-FACTOR-6010431.HTML]
In 2050, for the first time in India, there will be more people above
the age of 60 than there are below 15.
India’s population growth is ebbing as families are having fewer
children and people are living longer. Demographers say that though it’s a
healthy sign for any society, more senior citizens means more dependence on the
shrinking youth population.
Read more: https://www.firstpost.com/india/the-grey-factor-6010431.html ;
[https://www.firstpost.com/india/the-grey-factor-6010431.html] ;
–
COMPASSIONATE ALUMNI OF THRISSUR MEDICAL COLLEGE!
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2019/02/COMPASSIONATE-ALUMNI-OF-THRISSUR-MEDICAL-COLLEGE/]
How often do we all get together – old schoolmates, college alumni and
so on! We enjoy the company of friends who have not seen one another for a long
time, and have a great time.
The alumni from the 11th MBBS batch in Thrissur did all that. But they
also did a bit more. Quite a precious bit, in fact.
They formed Smriti Charitable Trust in memory of two of their
classmates who left this world prematurely – Dr Joseph George and Vini Viswam.
And decided to do some good to their suffering fellow-human beings. For
example, when they funded a kidney transplantation for a hapless young man,
they made sure that the support for his immunosuppressant drugs continued.
When they had their 3rd annual meet on 17 February 2019 in the presence
of celebrities like the Hon. Minister of Education Professor C Raveendranath,
the music director Ouseppachan, musician Franco and the humane nephrologist
Noble Ignatius, a handsome purse came to Pallium India. Thank you very much Dr
Deepthy, Dr Siyad and all colleagues.
–
VIDEO OF THE MONTH:
[HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=S5KVCLADERE]
BHAVANA ISSAR, CAREGIVER SAATHI ON WOMEN CAREGIVERS
[HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=S5KVCLADERE]
–
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/]
*
* 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. ;
* 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] ;
* MAY 21, 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
“IF PALLIATIVE CARE HAD NOT REACHED US…”
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2019/02/IF-PALLIATIVE-CARE-HAD-NOT-REACHED-US/]
_Pallium India’s Chairman, Dr M. R. Rajagopal writes:_
Three of us from the palliative care team walked into the tiny hut. The
patient was lying on her side with her face to the wall. The middle-aged
daughter, who had been busy in the kitchen, wiped her hands on the edge of the
_lungi_ she was wearing and gave us a smile.
“Could we turn her to face us?” I asked after the usual pleasantries.
“Sure”, the daughter replied and, gently cooing, “Mom, let us sit up,”
helped the woman up. She added with an apologetic smile to me, “it is good for
her to sit up for a while”.
The elderly woman sat up leaning on the daughter and smiled. Later I
understood that the smile did not mean anything. She had either dementia or
delirium. Though she would recognize the daughter at an occasional moment of
lucidity, most of the time she was talking to people who were not around or
sometimes who had left this world at some point of time.
The younger woman told us the sad story of a loving mother of three
children, now with no one to look after her except this one daughter. The other
daughter and son had chosen to live their own lives. The son-in-law was a bit
resentful of the elderly person’s presence. “Well, it’s your Mom; if you want
to look after her, that’s your business; I want no part of it”, sort of
summarized his position on the matter.
Tears streaming down her cheeks, and with the mother resting against
her shoulder with her blank stare and fixed meaningless smile, the daughter
continued. “It is okay if no one else cares for her. My mom is the whole world
to me.” And she turned to the mother. “It is okay if no one else cares; I shall
be here for you, Mother. I shall always be here for you.”
Punctuated with sobs, the daughter told us the story of a loving mother
who never demanded anything of others and just went on ladling out love to
everyone around.
And then she turned to me. “But she and I are alive because of you all.
If palliative care had not reached us, I would surely have given her poison and
ended my life too”.
She hugged the mother tight, planted a kiss on her cheek and repeated,
“I am here for you, mom. I will always be here for you.”
This elderly woman has lost her mind, has no material possessions; yet
she is so rich. How many people in the world would receive a wealth of such
love at a time like this? Indeed, she is rich. And I was glad that her mental
state was such that at least it left her with that perpetual smile, not sorrow.
As we parted, I told the daughter that I saw God in her. I meant it.
_* illustration by Cartoonist P V Krishnan_
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