Pallium India Newsletter: November 2014
- From: Pallium India Newsletter <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "" <palliumindia@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 20:26:36 +0000
Pallium India
Care Beyond Cure
DEAR FRIENDS,
THEY DEMAND THEIR RIGHT, AND THE GOVERNOR IS SYMPATHETIC
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/11/THEY-DEMAND-THEIR-RIGHT-AND-THE-GOVERNOR-IS-SYMPATHETIC/]
ONE STEP CLOSER TO MAKING TRIVANDRUM A WHEELCHAIR-FRIENDLY CITY
George Thomas and Ashla Rani both had met with accidents which changed
their lives, nevertheless they mean to make their lives worthwhile. On the 25th
of November, they met the Hon’ble Governor of Kerala, P. Sathasivam, with a
request: They asked his help in their efforts to make Trivandrum a
wheelchair-friendly city. Many streets in Trivandrum now have good pavements,
but they do not have ramps to help people on wheelchairs get down to and out of
the road. Almost none of the public buildings in the city is
wheelchair-friendly, leave alone public transport. Pallium India was privileged
to accompany George and Ashla Rani to the meeting with Governor Sathasivam.
You might like to know that George was recently selected to the Kerala
physically disabled cricket team and Ashla, who had passed her Master of
Computer Applications, is volunteering for Pallium India.
ASHLA AND GEORGE: PALLIUM INDIA IS PRIVILEGED TO WORK WITH YOU ON YOUR MISSION.
–
EARLY PALLIATIVE CARE RESULTS IN IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE AND SURVIVAL IN
PATIENTS WITH ADVANCE CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/11/EARLY-PALLIATIVE-CARE-RESULTS-IN-IMPROVED-QUALITY-OF-LIFE-AND-SURVIVAL-IN-PATIENTS-WITH-ADVANCE-CHRONIC-RESPIRATORY-DISEASE/]
Refractory breathlessness, i.e. breathlessness that continues despite
optimal treatment of the underlying condition is common in patients with
advanced disease; however, clinicians struggle to manage/palliate this symptom
effectively.
In response to an unmet need, Dr Charles Reilly, (Consultant
Physiotherapist in Chronic Respiratory Disease, King’s College Hospital NHS
Foundation Trust) Prof Claudia Bausewein, (Professor of Palliative Medicine,
Munich University Hospital, Germany) and Prof Irene Higginson, (Professor of
Palliative Care and Policy, King’s College London; Director of the Cicely
Saunders Institute, London, UK) developed an innovative integrated Palliative
Care, Respiratory Medicine and Physiotherapy service known as the
Breathlessness Support Service (BSS) to address the needs of these complex
patients.
A patient who received the BSS described it as follows: "
“The blissful thing is, you can control your breathing, if you get a
bad spell you can work your way through it whereas previously when I was
choking I really didn’t know what to do”. (Man with ILD – interstitial lung
disease)."
This is the first study demonstrating the benefit of early integration
of palliative care for patients with advanced chronic respiratory disease, who
traditionally may not easily get access to palliative care.
Read more at:
http://eapcnet.wordpress.com/2014/11/24/its-not-all-about-dying-early-palliative-care-results-in-improved-quality-of-life-and-survival-in-patients-with-advance-chronic-respiratory-disease/
[http://eapcnet.wordpress.com/2014/11/24/its-not-all-about-dying-early-palliative-care-results-in-improved-quality-of-life-and-survival-in-patients-with-advance-chronic-respiratory-disease/]
–
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH HONORS CHAIRMAN OF PALLIUM INDIA
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/11/HUMAN-RIGHTS-WATCH-HONORS-CHAIRMAN-OF-PALLIUM-INDIA/]
Dr M. R. Rajagopal, Chairman of Pallium India, was honored by Human
Rights Watch with the Alison Des Forges award for Extraordinary Activism
[http://palliumindia.org/2014/09/pallium-india-chairman-to-be-honored-by-human-rights-watch/]
on November 9. In the first of the Voices for Justice dinners held in Santa
Barbara, Dr Rajagopal and Shin Dong-Hyuk from North Korea were honored by Human
Rights Watch. (Click here for a few pictures from the event
[http://palliumindia.org/pics/hrw/] .)
Dr Rajagopal spoke about how, as a medical student, he was much
affected and grieved by the screams of a neighbor who was suffering from
cancer. “When I became a doctor, I chose anesthesiology – so that I could treat
pain,” said Dr Rajagopal. “There has been little interest in caring for people
who could not be cured. Most of them die appalling deaths, abandoned by the
healthcare system.”
Dr Rajagopal expressed gratitude to Human Rights Watch for the honor
and also for their support in bringing relief and comfort and dignity to so
many in India.
Dr M. R. Rajagopal’s work over nearly twenty years has contributed to
development of India’s National Program in Palliative Care (NPPC) in 2012 and
to the Amendment of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of India
in 2014.
The second of the Voices for Justice dinners will be held at Los
Angeles on November 11.
Click here to see pictures shared on Facebook
[https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1013378332021579.1073741836.141945799164841&type=1&pnref=story]
.
–
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/]
–
PALLIATIVE CARE IN BANGLADESH’S NATIONAL PLAN FOR NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/11/PALLIATIVE-CARE-IN-BANGLADESHS-NATIONAL-PLAN-FOR-NON-COMMUNICABLE-DISEASES/]
“In Bangladesh, with its population of about 160 million people, the
burden of NCDs has been rising at an alarming pace,” writes Dr. Rumana Dowla,
Chairperson of the Bangladesh Palliative and Supportive Care Foundation. “In a
review of 23 developing countries, Bangladesh had the ninth highest
age-standardized mortality due to chronic diseases, such as primary
cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.”
Dr Rumana Dowla represented the IAHPC at the WHO 67th session of the
Regional Committee for South East Asia on 9-12 September 2014. She worked with
officials from the Ministry of Health and succeeded in including palliative
care in the national plan for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Read the news at IAHPC’s website:
http://hospicecare.com/about-iahpca/newsletter/2014/11/policy/
[http://hospicecare.com/about-iahpca/newsletter/2014/11/policy/]
–
COLOMBIA PASSES PALLIATIVE CARE LAW [
HTTP://WWW.EHOSPICE.COM/ARTICLEVIEW/TABID/10686/ARTICLEID/13163/LANGUAGE/EN-GB/VIEW.ASPX]
Writing for the EAPC blog, Dr Marta Ximena León, Associate Professor,
School of Medicine, Universidad de la Sabana, Bogota, Colombia, explains how a
committed group of people has worked tirelessly to make palliative care a legal
right in Colombia.
Dr León recounts the long journey from the initial work to draft a
palliative care law in 2008, to the eventual passing of the law in 2014.
Read the article:
http://www.ehospice.com/ArticleView/tabid/10686/ArticleId/13163/language/en-GB/View.aspx
[http://www.ehospice.com/ArticleView/tabid/10686/ArticleId/13163/language/en-GB/View.aspx]
–
NO TIME TO PROVIDE PALLIATIVE CARE; WE ARE BUSY DISCUSSING EUTHANASIA
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/11/NO-TIME-TO-PROVIDE-PALLIATIVE-CARE-WE-ARE-BUSY-DISCUSSING-EUTHANASIA/]
A report in the Times of India
[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/45043369.cms] dated November
5, 2014 states that “SHAME AND PAIN CAUSED BY AN AILMENT WAS THE REASON FOR ONE
IN EVERY FIVE SUICIDES IN INDIA LAST YEAR.”
The report continues, "
“… data compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau show that 26,426
people in the country suffering from various ailments, including cancer, AIDS
and paralysis, chose to end their lives in 2013. Tamil Nadu had the highest
number of suicides linked to illness in 2013, with 4,362 people taking the
extreme step.”"
In palliative care units, it not uncommon to find patients requesting
euthanasia. When you look for the reason behind the question, most of the time
it is, “I cannot bear this pain” (or other suffering). Once that problem is
tackled, most of them get back to the business of living and the wish to die
ends. If we are able to bring a little relief to those who are suffering, and
if we are able to help them find meaning to their lives during their last days,
many of them would not be driven to such an extreme step.
But we are busy discussing the merits and demerits of mercy-killing
without trying to offer them a little relief from their suffering!
Read the report in the Times of India
[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/45043369.cms]
–
MORPHINE IS MEDICINE: THE LANGUAGE BARRIER TO OPIOID AVAILABILITY IN MORE THAN
83% OF THE WORLD
[HTTP://WWW.EHOSPICE.COM/ARTICLEVIEW/TABID/10686/ARTICLEID/13179/LANGUAGE/EN-GB/VIEW.ASPX]
Katherine Irene Pettus, Advocacy Officer, International Association for
Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC), stresses the important distinction between
‘medicines’ and ‘drugs’.
The 1998 UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs adopted: “A
drug-free world; we can do it!” as its slogan. The Commission on Narcotic Drugs
(CND) has set an explicit policy goal of reducing global demand and supply of
‘drugs’.
This leaves a very narrow policy space for palliative care advocates to
promote increased supply and demand of medical opioids unless we specifically,
consistently (and correctly) refer to them as ‘essential medicines’.
Read the complete article:
http://www.ehospice.com/ArticleView/tabid/10686/ArticleId/13179/language/en-GB/View.aspx
[http://www.ehospice.com/ArticleView/tabid/10686/ArticleId/13179/language/en-GB/View.aspx]
–
PALLIATIVE CARE COURSES IN TRIVANDRUM, HYDERABAD AND AHMEDABAD
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/COURSES]
TRIVANDRUM, KERALA: 6 APRIL
Six weeks courses on Palliative Care for doctors, nurses and other
healthcare professionals, Certificate Course in Pain and Palliative Medicine
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/ccppm/] (CCPPM), Certificate course in
Palliative Nursing [http://palliumindia.org/courses/ccpn/] (CCPN) and
Certificate Course in Palliative Care [http://palliumindia.org/courses/ccpc/]
(CCPC), will commence on 6 April, 2015 at Trivandrum Institute of Palliative
Sciences, Arumana Hospital, Trivandrum. Contact: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] , +91 471-2468991. Details:
http://palliumindia.org/courses/#Trivandrum
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/#Trivandrum]
2-day Volunteers Training Program is conducted every month at
Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences, Arumana Hospital, Trivandrum.
Contact: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] , +91
471-2468991, 8589998762.
HYDERABAD, TELENGANA: 3 MARCH
One Month Certificate Course in Pain and Palliative Medicine
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/hyd_ccppm/] (CCPPM) for Doctors, Nurses,
Social Workers and Volunteers will commence on 3 March, 2015 at MNJ Institute
of Oncology & Regional Cancer Centre, Hyderabad. Contact:
mnj.palliative@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:mnj.palliative@xxxxxxxxx] , +91 91772 38901.
Details: http://palliumindia.org/courses/hyd_ccppm/
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/hyd_ccppm/]
AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT: 1 JANUARY
Six weeks Certificate Courses in Pain and Palliative Medicine (CCPPM)
and Palliative Nursing (CCPN) will commence on January 1, 2015 at The Gujarat
Cancer and Research Institute (GCRI), Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Contact:
palliumindia.gcri@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:palliumindia.gcri@xxxxxxxxx] ,
dr.geetajoshi@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:dr.geetajoshi@xxxxxxxxx] . Phone: 079-22688270,
9824075707. Details: http://palliumindia.org/courses/#Ahmedabad
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/#Ahmedabad]
–
CANCELLATION OF SIX WEEKS COURSE IN FEBRUARY AT TRIVANDRUM
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/COURSES]
Pallium India apologizes for the inconvenience caused to anyone who was
planning to attend our six weeks certificate courses in February 2015. Due to
unavoidable demands on the faculty’s time and clashes of schedules, we have
been forced to cancel the courses in February 2015.
Please note: The next six weeks course will start on 6th April, 2015.
For more details on our courses, please visit:
http://palliumindia.org/courses/ [http://palliumindia.org/courses/] If you have
any queries, please write to: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
–
HOW OTHERS SEE INDIA’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/11/HOW-OTHERS-SEE-INDIAS-HEALTHCARE-SYSTEM/]
A report in the Guardian titled “ How sick are the world’s healthcare
systems?
[http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/29/how-sick-are-worlds-healthcare-systems-nhs-china-india-us-germany]
” dated 29 October 2014, highlights the pros and cons of healthcare systems in
eight different countries, including India. "
‘PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, INDIA’S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS LARGELY UNREGULATED’
…Mazes of dingy corridors, outdated equipment and filthy wards where
linens are absent and rats run freely greet the desperately poor and sick
patients seeking care.
…India spends just 1.3% of GDP on healthcare, one of the lowest rates
in the world.
…According to a 2011 study in the Lancet medical journal, 39 million
Indians are pushed into poverty every year due to medical costs
[http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)61894-6/abstract]
, a fact that possibly explains why even Britain’s imperfect and overburdened
NHS seems like a dream to many here."
We hope reports like these would bring to light the difficulties faced
by ordinary people around the world in their efforts to remain healthy. Also
that these would pave the way for a positive change in the way the world
perceives healthcare.
Read the complete report
[http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/29/how-sick-are-worlds-healthcare-systems-nhs-china-india-us-germany]
by Guardian’s correspondents in China, Brazil, South Africa, the United
States, Germany etc.
–
A GREAT GIFT FROM THE UK
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2014/11/A-GREAT-GIFT-FROM-THE-UK/]
A young doctor couple from the UK decide to give a year of their lives
to voluntary service in India. We cannot but bow to the essential humanity in
them that makes them want to give such a precious gift!
Please read the following from ehospice:
HANNAH FOX, A GP TRAINEE FROM EAST LONDON IS TAKING A YEAR OUT TO DO AN
‘OUT OF PROGRAMME EXPERIENCE’ (OOPE) WORKING IN PALLIATIVE CARE IN KOLKATA,
WEST BENGAL. HERE ARE SOME PORTIONS FROM HER NEW BLOG ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE.
Click here to read the complete article.
[http://www.ehospice.com/india/ArticleView/tabid/10675/ArticleId/13187/language/en-GB/View.aspx]
–
SEEING THE ‘INVISIBLE PATIENT’
[HTTP://NEWOLDAGE.BLOGS.NYTIMES.COM/2014/11/17/SEEING-THE-INVISIBLE-PATIENT/?_R=0]
Physicians too often fail to address the needs of caregivers, a
clinical review finds. Jane Gross writes in the New York Times Blog: "
Not once in the years I cared for my mother did any of her physicians
ask me how I was doing. When was the last time
I saw my own physician?
Was I eating properly?
Sleeping enough?
Depressed?
What did I do for fun?
Frankly, I didn’t notice their apparent lack of concern, nor had I
considered it since — until hearing a recent talk by Dr. Ronald D. Adelman, the
co-chief of geriatrics and palliative medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College
in New York City."
Read the complete article:
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/seeing-the-invisible-patient/?_r=0
[http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/seeing-the-invisible-patient/?_r=0]
–
PARTING SHOT
A PIECE OF GOOD NEWS FROM RUSSIA.
Mr Diederik Lohman of Human Rights Watch writes… "
The prosecutor has dropped the appeal against Alevtina Khorinyak, the
Russian physician who was prosecuted for prescribing tramadol in violation of
Russian rules to a friend dying in pain and was prosecuted for drug
trafficking. In Russian: http://www.krasproc.ru/news/krsk/12327
[https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.krasproc.ru%2Fnews%2Fkrsk%2F12327&edit-text=]
(Google translated link) Brings to an end this shameful episode."
Should we rejoice that Alevtina is acquitted or should we weep for the
human stupidity that causes so much of human suffering all over the world?
To quote Shakespeare: "
“How many ages hence
Shall this our lofty scene be acted over
In states unborn and accents yet unknown!”
And how much more needless suffering will have to continue before we come to
our senses!"
Other related posts:
- » Pallium India Newsletter: November 2014 - Pallium India Newsletter
