Pallium India
Care Beyond Cure
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
! October 2018 !
* ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *
https://palliumindia.org/?p=8193
October 2, 2018
WHITE PAPER FOR GLOBAL PALLIATIVE CARE ADVOCACY FROM THE VATICAN
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/09/WHITE-PAPER-FOR-GLOBAL-PALLIATIVE-CARE-ADVOCACY-FROM-THE-VATICAN/]
[https://eapcnet.wordpress.com/2018/09/27/the-catholic-church-advocates-for-palliative-care/]
On the 27th of September 2018, the Pontifical Academy for Life of the Vatican
released a white paper [https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jpm.2018.0248] ;
calling upon all in global health care to treat suffering, not just diseases,
by including palliative care as a part of health care. In view of the fact that
Catholic institutions account for 27% of all health care in the world, this is
of particular importance.
Pope Francis had always been a strong advocate of palliative care. In
2015 he had said, “I encourage professionals and students to specialize in this
type of assistance which is no less valuable for the fact that it is not
life-saving. [Palliative care] accomplishes something equally important: it
values the person[1]”.
The Pontifical Academy for Life (PAV) is an academic institution of the
Holy See (Vatican) dedicated to the promotion of human life, including medical
ethics. In 2017, the PAV launched an international project called “PAL-LIFE: An
International Advisory Working Group on diffusion and development of palliative
care in the world” to advise on how the Catholic Church could assist in
continued PC development at the global level. 13 experts from various parts of
the globe participated in the working group, including one from India, Dr
M.R.Rajagopal. representing Pallium India [https://palliumindia.org/] . ;
The white paper calls upon hospitals and health care institutions to
integrate palliative care service and education, including access to essential
medicines, to all health care. The recommendations of the white paper has been
published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine and can be seen at
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jpm.2018.0248 ;
[https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jpm.2018.0248] ;
One potential impact of this white paper is the removal of a huge chunk
of pain and suffering in the country particularly because the Catholic church
runs more than 300 hospitals and more than 1500 health centres across India.
Pallium India has a memorandum of understanding with Catholic Health
Association of India (CHAI) to improve access to palliative care and we are in
the process of training a cohort of professionals for this purpose.
Pallium India thanks the Pontifical Academy for Life and CHAI for this
opportunity to work with them on this important initiative.
—
[1] Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to participants In the plenary
of the Pontifical Academy For Life (5 March 2015). Available from:
https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2015/march/documents/papa-francesco_20150305_pontificia-accademia-vita.html
[https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2015/march/documents/papa-francesco_20150305_pontificia-accademia-vita.html]
_(Image courtesy: EAPC. Read more:
https://eapcnet.wordpress.com/2018/09/27/the-catholic-church-advocates-for-palliative-care/
[https://eapcnet.wordpress.com/2018/09/27/the-catholic-church-advocates-for-palliative-care/]
)_
–
MOHFW AWARDED TWO UNIATF AWARDS FOR 2018
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/09/MOHFW-AWARDED-TWO-UNIATF-AWARDS-FOR-2018/]
[https://palliumindia.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/MoHFW-award.jpg] The ;
UN Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable
Diseases (UNIATF) at its 10th meeting in Vienna in February 2018 initiated the
UNIATF award [http://www.who.int/ncds/un-task-force/events/2018-awards/en/] to ;
recognize those making an outstanding contribution to NCD prevention and
control. The first awards were presented during the “Friends of the Task Force”
meeting in the margins of the Third High-level Meeting on NCDs at the United
Nations General Assembly in New York, on 27 September 2018.
Two awards have been awarded to the MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA. One in the category of: OUTSTANDING MINISTRIES OF
HEALTH and the second in the category of: OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS IN MINISTRIES
OF HEALTH. This has been awarded to SHRI MANOJ JHALANI, Additional Secretary
and Mission Director (NHM) for Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India.
_(Image courtesy: MoHFW, Govt of India)_
Hearty Congratulations! For more details on the award:
http://www.who.int/ncds/un-task-force/events/2018-awards/en/ ;
[http://www.who.int/ncds/un-task-force/events/2018-awards/en/] ;
–
GOVERNMENT PICKS A NEW PANEL TO RUN MCI
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/09/GOVERNMENT-PICKS-A-NEW-PANEL-TO-RUN-MCI/]
In a surprise move, the central government promulgated an ordinance on
September 26, 2018, to remove all the office-bearers of the scam-tainted
Medical Council of India (MCI) and appoint a seven-member Board of Governor
(BoG) to run the medical education regulator for the next one year.
The BoG will be chaired by NITI Ayog member Vinod Paul, a former
professor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi.
Read the report in the _Deccan Herald_:
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/govt-sacks-mci-members-picks-694832.html ;
[https://www.deccanherald.com/national/govt-sacks-mci-members-picks-694832.html]
–
WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE – CALENDAR LAUNCH
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/09/WOMEN-OF-SUBSTANCE-CALENDAR-LAUNCH/]
[https://palliumindia.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Women-of-Substance-Swarga-Foundation-SM.jpg]
Swarga Foundation celebrated their fourth anniversary and the launch of the
calendar “Women of Substance” – featuring twelve differently-abled women
achievers from across India – at an event in Coimbatore on September 29, 2018.
It was a proud moment for Pallium India as well, since our volunteer,
Ashla Rani is one of the women featured in the calendar. Ashla writes: "
Imagine that you are watching a spell-binding dance performance and you
fall in love with the passion you see in the eyes of the performer. Later, you
are told that she cannot hear the music, but she has learnt it from her guru
through interpretation!!! She loved dancing from her childhood. In spite of
evident obstacles in her path, she and her guru found ways to learn the rhythm.
When you are born with a talent and have the passion to take it forward, there
is no limit to where you can reach! Prerana, (true to her name, which means
‘inspiration’) encouraged everyone to follow their passion and achieve what was
possible, and even those that appear impossible …
It was an honour to be a part of Swarga Foundation’s 4th anniversary
celebration and even more so to be featured in their calendar. It was an
evening where everyone enjoyed EQUALLY. There were no differences even when
each one was different in his/her own way."
Swarga foundation was founded by Swarnalatha, who has been living with
multiple sclerosis since 2009. Read more about Swarga Foundation
[http://www.swargafoundation.org/] and about Swarnalatha, the founder ;
[https://thelogicalindian.com/my-social-responsibility/swarnalatha-swarga-foundation/]
.
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A VISIT TO ‘MAGIC PLANET’ ON WORLD PALLIATIVE CARE DAY
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/09/A-VISIT-TO-MAGIC-PLANET-ON-WORLD-PALLIATIVE-CARE-DAY/]
On _WORLD HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE DAY, OCTOBER 13, 2018_, Pallium
India is organizing a visit for patients and families to “Magic Planet”, the
magic-themed park in Trivandrum. We expect around 450 people to take part in
the program. The expense is estimated to be ₹1000 per person. We request you to
donate and support us in making this a memorable day for the people in our
care: https://palliumindia.org/donate/ [https://palliumindia.org/donate/] ;(For
more information, please contact Babu Abraham: +91-9746745502)
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is a unified day of action to
celebrate and support hospice and palliative care around the world. The theme
of this year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day is: “PALLIATIVE CARE –
BECAUSE I MATTER!”
This year is the centenary of Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the
modern hospice movement. So it is fitting that this year’s World Hospice and
Palliative Care Day theme draws its wording from her iconic quote: _‘YOU MATTER
BECAUSE YOU ARE YOU AND YOU MATTER UNTIL THE END OF YOUR LIFE’_.
This theme was chosen because it centres on the experience of people
affected by serious illness, looking at what matters most, including the
often-overlooked financial impact of palliative care needs on individuals and
households. The theme also contains elements of human rights and justice,
asking: “If I matter, then why am I not getting the care I need?”
To know more about the Day and to register your event, visit:
http://www.thewhpca.org/about [http://www.thewhpca.org/about] ;
–
HONOUR FOR FOUNDER CHAIRMAN OF PALLIUM INDIA
[HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/CITY/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/HONOUR-FOR-FOUNDER-CHAIRMAN-OF-PALLIUM-INDIA/ARTICLESHOW/65848275.CMS]
Times of India reports: "
Dr M R Rajagopal, founder chairman of Pallium India, has been conferred
the John Mendelsohn MD Award the other day at an event held at The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, USA. Rajagopal is the
first recipient of this award from a developing country.
Read more…
[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/honour-for-founder-chairman-of-pallium-india/articleshow/65848275.cms]
"
–
A MONTH AFTER THE FLOODS IN KERALA…
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/09/A-MONTH-AFTER-THE-FLOODS-IN-KERALA/]
A month after the floods in Kerala, most people have returned to their
homes and are trying to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. The task
is daunting, the problems seem insurmountable, even for the most able-bodied
among them. But consider how the odds stack up against those who, in addition
to having lost everything, do not even have the health, strength and mobility
needed to claw their way back to some semblance of normality.
On the 31st of August, Shemeema, one of our nurses, visited the home of
SK, aged 39, in Pathanamthitta Dist. She says:
“He used to drive an auto rickshaw until an accident four years ago
left him paralysed. He lives in a small two-room shack with asbestos roofing,
with his wife and two school-going children. With no means of livelihood, they
had been eking out an existence with the help of neighbours and friends.
“These generous benefactors have all themselves been badly affected by
the floods. SK’s house was inundated and badly damaged. All his belongings were
lost – not even a bed for him to lie on could be salvaged. When our social
worker and I met him, he was inconsolable, and we were struck almost speechless
by the hopelessness of his situation.
“To add to his woes, he has an inflammatory wound in his coccyx, for
which surgery is urgently required. He is praying for help – of any kind – from
any source”.
LET’S NOT LEAVE THEM ADRIFT…
As part of our flood relief and rehabilitation activities, Pallium
India’s social workers have been on the ground in some of the worst affected
areas. Their primary objective is to assess palliative care and other
health-related needs among the victims. This database will be shared with
concerned local authorities with whom we will work hand in hand. Our team also
provides clinical support and distributes preventive medication.
You can also support us. Click here to know how: Let’s not leave them
adrift
[https://palliumindia.org/2018/08/let-us-not-leave-them-adrift-a-palliative-care-campaign/]
–
HEROES – KERALA FLOODS [HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/09/HEROES-KERALA-FLOODS/]
[https://youtu.be/tWiCq_1nNSk] A video that went viral ;
[https://youtu.be/tWiCq_1nNSk] during the recent floods in Kerala was the one ;
of the ‘human footstool’ in action, or should we say, in service!
This young man, Jaisal from Tanur, Malappuram, rendered invaluable and
timely help, in a manner that was so innovative, resourceful, but above all,
self-effacing. Jaisal lowered himself as low as he could into those swirling,
murky waters, so women could use his back as a stool, to step into a rescue
boat which would take them to safety. Like so many other unsung heroes that the
floods produced, this giant of a man sprang into action with no thought for his
own health or physical well-being.
We truly hope we get to meet him some day, to tell him how much we
admire and respect him, for setting such an amazing example of humanity for the
entire world.
–
KERALA FLOODS: AN EXPERIENCE
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/09/KERALA-FLOODS-AN-EXPERIENCE/]
_Sajith (MSW, Pallium India), writes:_
The recent floods in Kerala have left in their wake untold misery and
suffering in terms of loss of lives and destruction of property and livelihood.
The worst affected were patients undergoing treatment or receiving palliative
care, who ranged from children to the aged including people with disabilities
or those bed ridden.
I learnt a lot about this tragedy from the print and electronic media
about how, many good samaritans including a large section of the youth came to
the help of the distressed people, working with the government, other NGOs and
relief agencies. I had never had the experience of working under such
conditions and it was my innate desire to do so. I was therefore very happy
when I received the instruction from my organization, Pallium India, to
undertake a survey of the affected persons and prepare Pallium India (working
with Govt agencies) to do what needs to be done with special regard to the
suffering patients.
[https://palliumindia.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Alphonsa-Chacko.jpg] ;
On 21st August 2018, our team comprising of two social workers (Anil from the
state Social Justice Dept and myself), one psychologist and one volunteer
visited Ms.Alphonsa Chacko (65) at a home stay facility in Fort Kochi. She used
to live with her nephew Gypsun, in a place called Kuthiyathodu in North
Paravur. Following an accident that she met with 6 years ago, she could not
walk without assistance. The cataract in her eyes greatly weakened her eye
sight. Her parents as well as siblings had passed away some time ago.
Alphonsa had no inhibitions in narrating their nightmarish experience.
Flooding in their area was common; every year during the monsoon season, the
administration sent out alerts asking people to relocate until the waters
receded. That is why, they took the alert as a routine one and assumed that the
water would recede soon. However, panic set in as the water reached the first
floor. Although her nephew coaxed her to go with the rescue teams who arrived
in boats to rescue them, Alphonsa was too scared to get into the boat and
decided to stay back. Although Alphonsa urged him to move to safety with the
boat crew, he refused to leave his aunt alone and decided to stay with her.
They moved to the second floor. No more help came. Before long, the
rising water level forced them to climb to the terrace. They spent two days
there, enduring hunger and thirst. In the mean time, Gypsun had been
frantically texting his friends for help. His effort paid off when a Navy
helicopter came to their rescue. They were air lifted and dropped off at the
naval airport at Thevara. After receiving emergency care, they were shifted to
the home stay in Fort Kochi by the police personnel. At the request of
Alphonsa, Anil the social worker had her temporarily shifted to a Home Care
facility.
Two weeks ago, I came to know that she had undergone surgery for
cataract and that she is gradually regaining her eye sight.
This experience was a new awakening for me and I hope to continue our
efforts to bring succor to those suffering.
_(Translation from Malayalam by Krishnaraj Nambiar, Pallium India.)_
–
WOMEN CAN HAVE A ‘COMPANION’ IN THE LABOUR ROOM: KERALA STARTS SCHEME IN GOVT
HOSPITALS
[HTTPS://WWW.THENEWSMINUTE.COM/ARTICLE/WOMEN-CAN-HAVE-COMPANION-LABOUR-ROOM-KERALA-STARTS-SCHEME-GOVT-HOSPITALS-88885]
Having a familiar face – a husband or a female relative – provides
comfort to expectant mothers during labour, say doctors.
Read more:
https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/women-can-have-companion-labour-room-kerala-starts-scheme-govt-hospitals-88885
[https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/women-can-have-companion-labour-room-kerala-starts-scheme-govt-hospitals-88885]
–
CANCER INCIDENCE RATE HIGHEST IN KERALA
[HTTPS://TIMESOFINDIA.INDIATIMES.COM/CITY/KOCHI/CANCER-INCIDENCE-RATE-HIGHEST-IN-KERALA/ARTICLESHOW/65864713.CMS]
The highest number of cancer cases in India is detected from Kerala,
followed by Mizoram, Haryana, Delhi and Karnataka, while it is the lowest in
Bihar. In 2016, cancer incidence rate in India was 106.6 per 1 lakh people,
while in Kerala it is 135.3 per 1 lakh people.
Read more:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/cancer-incidence-rate-highest-in-kerala/articleshow/65864713.cms
[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/cancer-incidence-rate-highest-in-kerala/articleshow/65864713.cms]
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CANCER CENTRE TO SOON LAUNCH IN-PATIENT, HOME CARE SERVICES
[HTTPS://WWW.THEHINDU.COM/NEWS/CITIES/KOCHI/CANCER-CENTRE-TO-SOON-LAUNCH-IN-PATIENT-HOME-CARE-SERVICES/ARTICLE24950220.ECE]
The Cochin Cancer Research Centre will soon begin in-patient services,
integrated home care services under pain and palliative care and an intensive
preventive campaign. District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla, who is also
the Special Officer for the cancer centre, has said in a statement that
specialists required for the services would soon be appointed.
Read more:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/cancer-centre-to-soon-launch-in-patient-home-care-services/article24950220.ece
[https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/cancer-centre-to-soon-launch-in-patient-home-care-services/article24950220.ece]
–
FOUR YEARS AT PALLIUM INDIA
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/09/FOUR-YEARS-AT-PALLIUM-INDIA/]
_Ashla Rani, Pallium India’s volunteer, writes:_
[https://palliumindia.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Ashla-2.jpg] ;
September 28th marks my 4 years in Pallium India. I have done so many things in
these four years; things I had never imagined I could do, even in my wildest
dreams. There is so much to be thankful for…
It was the three-person army of Ganga aunty, Dr Sangeetha and Haridas
sir who took the lead in searching for a place for me to work and live. After
several months, Pallium India showed itself to Ganga aunty in the form of a
small news item about a paraplegic rehabilitation center. Thus began the next
phase in my life.
Now when I retrospect, two things stand out that helped liberate me
from my cocoon.
First, the unconditional support of my colleagues. I was in a world
where everyone helped each other, in whichever way they could. Second, the real
wings in my legs in the form of an electric wheelchair. When Dr Chandrika asked
me, in her sweet, quiet tone, how much it would cost for an electric
wheelchair, I never thought she would find a sponsor from her own circle of
friends and family. Nor did I foresee the freedom it was going to give me.
Finally, when Mr Abhishek bought me one, it opened the doors to a completely
new world. Till then, all I received was pity from strangers, as well as their
non-stop queries, “What happened to you? Can’t you walk? Not at all? For how
long?” (all in one breath) followed by a few sympathetic pats on the shoulder.
Once the wheelchair arrived, they started seeing me with new eyes and
their questions changed to: “Aha!! Is this battery operated? How much does it
cost? How do you charge this? How many kilometers can it go after charging
once?” Children who usually avoided me began to approach, curious to see how I
operated the electric wheelchair. I made friends with them by allowing them to
try the joystick. The wheelchair gave me not only the freedom to move around
but also freedom from sympathy (most of the time).
As years pass, things fall into routine and we take life for granted.
This wheelchair has been my companion for 3.5 years. Yes, I do use it daily
without thinking too much about it, but there were so many occasions when I
felt grateful to be moving on my own instead of depending on others to push me
around. And when I sat down on the evening I completed four years at Pallium
India, this was the first thought in my mind. Every single act of kindness
touches people much more than we can even imagine.
_ Read more here:
https://ehospice.com/international_posts/my-paralysis-does-not-define-me/ ;
[https://ehospice.com/international_posts/my-paralysis-does-not-define-me/] _ ;
–
ASSAM RIFLES GET TRAINED IN PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/09/ASSAM-RIFLES-GET-TRAINED-IN-PALLIATIVE-MEDICINE/]
Pallium India started its first batch of 10-day foundation course in
palliative medicine in Silchar, Assam. The participants for this course are
medical professionals of Assam Rifles. The project, called North East Alliance
Against Cancer, has been organized in collaboration with National Cancer Grid
and Assam Rifles.
The inauguration was done in the presence of Assam Rifles Officers,
Col. Dalal, Col. Saha and Dr. Ravi Kannan, (Director, Cachar Cancer Hospital,
Silchar Assam), Dr. Iqbal and Dr. Ritesh, as well as visiting faculty Dr.
Dinesh from Ahmedabad and Sister Stella from Calicut.
Read: Assam Rifles train to fight cancer in the North East
[http://www.tripurainfoway.com/news-details/TN/114230/assam-rifles-trains-to-fight-cancer-in-northeast.html]
–
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/CMS/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/2018/09/CHITRA-VENKATESWARAN-KAIRALI-DOCTORS-AWARD.JPG]
CONGRATULATIONS, DR CHITRA VENKATESWARAN
Heartiest Congratulations from all of us at Pallium India to our friend
Dr. Chitra Venkateswaran, who was conferred the Kairali People Doctor’s Award
by Kairali TV Chairman, Shri Mammootty, on September 29, 2018.
–
VIDEO OF THE MONTH [HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=2YE0_Z08ODK]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ye0_z08Odk] ;
IAHPC – Helping persons with serious health related suffering.
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INDIA BECOMES THE SICK MAN OF ASIA
[HTTPS://WWW.UCANEWS.COM/NEWS/INDIA-BECOMES-THE-SICK-MAN-OF-ASIA/83204]
A lack of medical facilities is the cause of death of nearly 27 percent
of the nine million people who die every year in India, according to government
data. The government’s own figures show India is spending a mere 1.15 percent
of its GDP on public healthcare. The global average is 6 percent.
Read more:
https://www.ucanews.com/news/india-becomes-the-sick-man-of-asia/83204 ;
[https://www.ucanews.com/news/india-becomes-the-sick-man-of-asia/83204] ;
–
POOR ‘CARE’ KILLS INDIANS MORE THAN LACK OF ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
[HTTPS://WWW.THEQUINT.COM/NEWS/INDIA/STUDY-INDIA-POOR-QUALITY-CARE-LACK-OF-ACCESS-TO-HEALTHCARE]
Some 2.4 million Indians die of treatable conditions every year, the
worst situation among 136 nations studied for a report published in The Lancet.
Poor care quality leads to more deaths than insufficient access to
healthcare–1.6 million Indians died due to poor quality of care in 2016, nearly
twice as many as due to non-utilisation of healthcare services (838,000
persons).
Read more:
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/study-india-poor-quality-care-lack-of-access-to-healthcare
[https://www.thequint.com/news/india/study-india-poor-quality-care-lack-of-access-to-healthcare]
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[HTTPS://SMILE.AMAZON.COM/CH/47-4504650] SUPPORT PALLIUM INDIA INC BY SHOPPING
AT AMAZON SMILE! [HTTPS://SMILE.AMAZON.COM/CH/47-4504650]
When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to Pallium
India Inc.
Support us every time you shop!
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/47-4504650 ;
[https://smile.amazon.com/ch/47-4504650] ;
–
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
Call us: +91-9746745497 (India) / +1-718-273-8597 (USA)
_ All donations to Pallium India are tax deductible._
–
UPCOMING EVENTS [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/COURSES/]
* OCT 27, 28, 2018: Second annual Advanced Therapeutics Course for
Palliative Medicine at Karunashraya, Bengaluru. Suitable for doctors and senior
nurses interested in Palliative medicine. Eminent speakers and a range of
interesting and relevant topics for everyone. Contact: maria@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:maria@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] / jeremy.johnson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ;
[mailto:jeremy.johnson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] ;
* NOV 5, 2018: 6 weeks certificate course in palliative medicine and
nursing (CCPPM, CCPN) at Trivandrum. Register: http://palliumindia.org/courses/ ;
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/] Contact: education@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ;
[mailto:education@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] / 8589998760. Last date to apply: Oct 23 ;
* DEC 7-8, 2018: 14th World Congress of Bioethics and 7th National
Bioethics Conference. Venue: St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences,
Bengaluru, Karnataka 560034. Last date to submit abstracts: Sunday, April 8,
2018. Pre-conference workshop on December 3-4, 2018.
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 8000 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
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PARTING SHOT
KERALA FLOODS: WHEN THE RICH AND THE POOR SUFFERED TOGETHER
[HTTPS://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2018/09/KERALA-FLOODS-WHEN-THE-RICH-AND-THE-POOR-SUFFERED-TOGETHER/]
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[https://palliumindia.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Flood-relief-activities.jpg]
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_In the third week of August, Pallium India’s Advocacy Manager, Babu
Abraham was deputed to Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts to assess the
needs of those medically affected by the recent floods in Kerala that took a
heavy toll and rendered a vast section of the population homeless and jobless
that forced them to lead a life of penury at least in the foreseeable future. _
_Babu writes:_
Before I left for Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta, I received a call from
Cheshire Home in Trivandrum asking me to go over there. On arriving, I was
pleasantly surprised to know that it was to receive gifts from the inmates of
Cheshire Home (who constituted the aged and otherwise disabled patients) for
the flood affected populace. The remarkable thing about this kind gesture was
that these gifts were actually Onam gifts that they had received from their
well wishers. It also included items that they had produced for sale as part of
their rehabilitation process. With the unfortunate situation that they
themselves were in, they could well understand the plight that their homeless
and suffering brethren were going through. They got their satisfaction in
giving for a noble cause at the right time, something they would not have got
out of Onam this time.
I was also stumped by an old lady at the Cheshire Home, who whispered
in my ear, “I have nothing else to give but my 5 months pension of ₹5,000 that
remained unspent, which please accept. I would want to give more, but this is
all that I have.” I was moved by such kind gestures. Who wouldn’t be? These are
but a fraction of what our brave heroes amongst the fisher folk, armed forces,
police, NDRF, civil society, government and the youth have done to save people
from the clutches of imminent death and bring them relief.
In Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta, I worked with District authorities and
that of the Social Justice Dept viz. Dr.Prathibha PTA DPM, Ms.Sheeba, KAPS,
AKWRF, Fr.Manoj, World In Need, Shafiq, Kuruvilla etc who guided various NGOs
operating there to fan out to places such as Ranni, Pandalam, Tiruvalla,
Kozenchery, Chengannur, Aranmula etc.
For the first time in my life, I saw the rich and the poor suffering
together. They were all housed in camps as a mixed lot. There were only 4
toilets for 1,000 people as against a single rich household having more than 4
toilets for themselves. It was impossible to enter the toilets. But, the
authorities had their limitations. This must have been the most expensive
lesson in human relations. The camp held many people who were wheelchair bound.
They had lost their wheelchairs, beds etc in the floods and their condition was
very pathetic with some of them having developed bed sores, some that needed
plastic surgery. One such person was admitted to Pushpagiri medical college for
surgery to be done free of cost by their charity wing. We have been approaching
donors for wheelchairs and beds and have received commitment for 10 wheel
chairs. Getting the rest will take some time.
On the whole, it has been a new awakening for me and, I am sure, for
all of mankind.
_(Image: Pallium India’s team at a relief camp.)_
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