Pallium India
Care Beyond Cure
DEAR FRIENDS,
PATIENT GET-TOGETHER ON WORLD PALLIATIVE CARE DAY
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2015/08/PATIENT-GET-TOGETHER-ON-WORLD-PALLIATIVE-CARE-DAY/]
The theme for this year’s World Palliative Care Day is ‘ Hidden Lives /
Hidden Patients
[http://palliumindia.org/2015/07/hidden-lives-hidden-patients-lives-of-people-on-wheelchair/]
.’
Most of the patients who are in need of palliative care in developing
countries are ‘hidden’. Their plight is not seen by the authorities and they
are sent home from hospital with the statement that “there is nothing more we
can do.” They are forced to lead the rest of their lives in loneliness and
suffering, abandoned by society, devastated financially and emotionally.
In much of the western world, paraplegics and quadriplegics are in the
mainstream of society, but in India that is not the case. They are generally
confined to the four walls of their homes. The palliative care stream in Kerala
has, by and large, chosen to include paraplegics and quadriplegics under the
purview of palliative care.
Pallium India wants to give them a day of pleasure by organizing a
get-together for them with their families in Trivandrum on October 10, at
Shanghumugham Beach. For each patient and family the expense estimated (for
food and a gift) is Rs 900 (US $15).
PLEASE DONATE WHATEVER YOU CAN TO MAKE THIS EVENT A HAPPY ONE FOR OUR
PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
For more details on how you can help, please write to us:
info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
–
UPDATE ON THE OPIOID AVAILABILITY FRONT
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2015/08/UPDATE-ON-THE-OPIOID-AVAILABILITY-FRONT/]
Has the amendment of the opioid regulations
[http://palliumindia.org/2014/02/it-is-done-indias-ndps-act-has-been-amended/]
by the Parliament in February 2014 made an impact on its availability?
Not yet, we fear.
But things are moving forward. In May 2015, the Government of India
announced the state rules
[http://palliumindia.org/2015/05/pain-relief-in-india-another-major-step-forward/]
and on 31 July 2015, organized a workshop at Delhi for Drug Controllers of
Individual States. (Thank you, Department of Revenue, for allowing Pallium
India to be a part of it.)
At the workshop, several state drug controllers as well as
non-government organizations raised several concerns. The Department of Revenue
now has asked for input from all the states before the final order of
implementation.
–
THE CURRENT STATUS OF PALLIATIVE CARE IN INDIA
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2015/08/THE-CURRENT-STATUS-OF-PALLIATIVE-CARE-IN-INDIA/]
“There has been a lot of progress in palliative care in India, but the
fact remains that despite the passing of almost a quarter of a century of
palliative care activity in the country, even today palliative care reaches
only about 1% of the people in India.”
In an article published in cancercontrol.info
[http://cancercontrol.info/] titled _The current status of palliative care in
India_, Dr M. R. Rajagopal, Chairman of Pallium India, writes about the
emergence of palliative care in the country – its origins, the barriers to
opioid availability and how some of those barriers came to be simplified thanks
to the continued efforts of many people from India and abroad, and the current
status.
Read the complete article at:
http://www.cancercontrol.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/57-62-MR-Rajagopal-.pdf
[http://www.cancercontrol.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/57-62-MR-Rajagopal-.pdf]
–
SAHAYATRA MALAYALAM NEWSLETTER [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/SAHAYATRA/]
SAHAYATRA, Pallium India’s Malayalam print magazine, is meant for
anyone interested in palliative care – patients and families, palliative care
professionals, volunteers and well-wishers.
Click here to read the latest issue: http://palliumindia.org/sahayatra/
[http://palliumindia.org/sahayatra/]
To subscribe to SAHAYATRA, please send your complete postal address to
info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
–
DESERT ROSE EXHIBITION 2015
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2015/07/DESERT-ROSE-2015-AN-EXHIBITION-OF-ART-AND-CRAFT/]
Pallium India, in collaboration with Canara Bank, organized an
exhibition and sale of paintings and artwork by patients, volunteers and
well-wishers of Pallium India from August 6th to 8th, 2015. The exhibition was
inaugurated by the famous magician Gopinath Muthukad. Canara Bank Chief General
Manager N. Sivasankaran, Justice M R Hariharan Nair and Dr C Mohanan were
present, as also were Canara Bank employees, Pallium India’s volunteers and
well-wishers. Pallium India’s CEO G. S. Manoj gave the welcome note and
volunteer S. Lalitha proposed a vote of thanks.
Click here to view the photographs from the event
[https://www.facebook.com/palliumindia/timeline/story?ut=43&wstart=0&wend=1441090799&hash=3870502212548455160&pagefilter=3]
–
A JOURNEY INTO CHILDREN’S PALLIATIVE CARE
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2015/08/A-JOURNEY-INTO-CHILDRENS-PALLIATIVE-CARE-2/]
“We were greeted by the smiling, bright faces of five-year- old Arif
and eight-year-old Altaf, brothers who have cerebral palsy, a neuromotor
condition that presents at childhood. Arif immediately reached out, grabbed my
hand and proceeded to teach me to draw. Soon, we were tying glitter bands on
each others’ wrists, before moving rapidly from one activity to the next, based
on Arif’s breathless whims.”
In this blog [http://www.explara.com/leap/2015/08/15/hope-floats/] ,
Joshua Muyiwa looks into the world of palliative care for children
[http://www.explara.com/leap/2015/08/15/hope-floats/] , at Pallium India’s
facility in Thiruvananthapuram.
–
DONATE TOYS FOR CHILDREN! [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/DONATE]
We are happily accepting toy donations for our weekly children’s
palliative care clinic. Certain specifications need to be considered before
sending the toys across, due to the nature of the children’s illnesses.
Kindly avoid toys with small breakable parts, anything with batteries,
toys with sharp edges, regular sized Lego pieces, jigsaw puzzles with small
pieces, games involving liquids (like the ones that shoot rings onto sticks at
the press of a button), stuffed toys that have fine hair and fluff, etc.
If you are interested in sending something across, do call us
(+91-9746745497) or write to us: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] . Thank you very much!
–
PLEA FOR PALLIATIVE CARE POLICY FOR ANDHRA PRADESH
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2015/08/PLEA-FOR-PALLIATIVE-CARE-POLICY-FOR-ANDHRA-PRADESH/]
On July 27, 2015, we had reported to you about an army of compassion
[http://palliumindia.org/2015/07/an-army-of-compassion-and-an-intellectual-exercise/]
– a group of 22 middle level palliative care professionals who got together
with a view to join the action for taking palliative care forward in India.
We are glad to report this progress from the state of Andhra Pradesh,
where at the third anniversary of Sneha Sandhya Age Care Foundation, two
members of the army, Dr N S Raju and Dr Vidya Viswanath, joined many important
people like Mr Pravin Kumar (Commissioner of Greater Vishakhapatnam Municipal
Corporation), Sudhakar Babu (Regional Director of Health), V Umamaheswara Rao
(Registrar of Andhra University), Mr Satyanarayana Prasad (Deputy General
Manager of State Bank of Hyderabad) and others, in asking for the development
of a palliative care policy
[http://www.baynews.in/vizag-special/plea-for-palliative-care-policy] for the
state.
Considering that Andhra Pradesh has a population of around 50 million,
it is easy to understand what a big step this could turn out to be.
–
NARRATIVES ON PAIN AND RELIEF: GIVING VOICE TO THE VOICELESS
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2015/08/NARRATIVES-ON-PAIN-AND-RELIEF-GIVING-VOICE-TO-THE-VOICELESS/]
In another step forward, the Journal of Pain and Palliative Care
Pharmacotherapy now has a page on the website
[http://explore.tandfonline.com/page/med/ippc-pain-narratives] where all the
narratives published so far can be accessed.
If you are in any way connected with palliative care, you must be
having a story in you, that touched your heart. Do please put it in writing and
send it to us: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] . You get
an indexed publication to your credit. And also the satisfaction of having
helped the cause. _ Read more here.
[http://palliumindia.org/2015/05/tell-your-story-to-the-world/] _
Here are some of the narratives that have been published:
Through the Eyes of Child
[http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/15360288.2013.782938] : Mary
Macey’s reflection on her childhood and adolescence, after losing her mother
and how palliative care brought her experience into focus.
When Two Worlds Meet
[http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/15360288.2012.708392] : Lyndsey
Brahm writes about the cultural immersion that she experienced when she visited
the east from the west.
They Suffer in Silence
[http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/15360288.2012.679336] : Savita
Butola writes about the intensity of grief, related to life-limiting disease in
the developing world.
Pain – When It Affects the Person
[http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/15360288.2011.625469] : the impact
of pain on the body and mind, written by Edassery Divakaran
–
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR SIX WEEKS CERTIFICATION COURSES
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2015/02/SCHOLARSHIPS-AVAILABLE-FOR-SIX-WEEKS-CERTIFICATION-COURSES/]
The Indo American Cancer Association and John and Editha Kapoor
Charitable Foundation, in association with Trivandrum Institute of Palliative
Sciences, are offering scholarships to practising doctors and nurses, who are
interested in learning fundamentals of Palliative Care.
The scholarships are offered to 12 most deserving candidates every
year, for the following courses:
* 6 weeks Certificate Course in Palliative Medicine
* 6 weeks Certificate Course in Palliative Nursing
The details of the training centres where these courses are offered are
given below. Please contact the respective training-in-charge for application
details.
* Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences, TRIVANDRUM
Dr. Sreedevi Warrier: drsreedevi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:drsreedevi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
* MNJ IO and Regional Cancer Centre, HYDERABAD
Dr Gayatri Palat; Ms Vineela: mnj.palliative@xxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mnj.palliative@xxxxxxxxx]
* Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, JAIPUR
Dr Anjum Joad; Dr Shikha Jain: palliumjaipur@xxxxxxxxx
[mailto:palliumjaipur@xxxxxxxxx]
* The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, AHMEDABAD
Dr Geeta Joshi: palliumindia.gcri@xxxxxxxxx
[mailto:palliumindia.gcri@xxxxxxxxx]
* Tata Memorial Centre, MUMBAI
Dr Mary Ann Muckaden: muckadenma@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:muckadenma@xxxxxxxxxx]
* SGCCRI, KOLKATA
Dr Rakesh Roy: Rex4you@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:Rex4you@xxxxxxxxx]
Click here for Guide and Practical Tips for Centres & Coordinators
[http://www.iacaweb.org/what-we-do/palliative-care-fellowship/for-participating-centers-coordinators/]
–
UPCOMING COURSES [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/COURSES]
TIPS, TRIVANDRUM, KERALA
* SIX WEEK CERTIFICATE COURSE IN PAIN AND PALLIATIVE MEDICINE (CCPPM)
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/ccppm/] – 7 SEP 2015, 2 NOV 2015, 7 MAR 2016,
2 MAY 2016
* SIX WEEK CERTIFICATE COURSE IN PALLIATIVE NURSING (CCPN)
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/COURSES/CCPN] – 7 SEP 2015, 2 NOV 2015, 7 MAR 2016, 2
MAY 2016.
* 10-DAY FOUNDATION COURSE IN PALLIATIVE MEDICINE
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/foundation/] – 7 SEP 2015, 2 NOV 2015, 7 MAR
2016, 2 MAY 2016
* 2-DAY VOLUNTEERS TRAINING PROGRAM is conducted every month at
Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences, Arumana Hospital, Trivandrum.
Anyone interested in learning about palliative care can attend.
* Contact: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] , +91
471-2468991, 9746745497.
GCRI, AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT
* SIX WEEKS CERTIFICATE COURSE IN PAIN AND PALLIATIVE MEDICINE (CCPPM)
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/gcri-ccppm]
* SIX WEEKS CERTIFICATE COURSE IN PALLIATIVE NURSING (CCPN)
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/gcri-ccpn]
* Contact: palliumindia.gcri@xxxxxxxxx
[mailto:palliumindia.gcri@xxxxxxxxx]
MNJIO & RCC, HYDERABAD, TELENGANA
* ONE MONTH CERTIFICATE COURSE IN PAIN AND PALLIATIVE MEDICINE (CCPPM)
[http://palliumindia.org/courses/hyd_ccppm/] FOR DOCTORS, NURSES, SOCIAL
WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS
* Contact: mnj.palliative@xxxxxxxxx [mailto:mnj.palliative@xxxxxxxxx] ,
+91 91772 38901
BMCHRC, JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN
* 6 WEEKS’ CERTIFICATE COURSE IN PAIN AND PALLIATIVE CARE FOR DOCTORS
AND NURSES [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/COURSES/JAIPUR_CCPPM/]
* Contact: Dr Anjum Khan Joad. palliumjaipur@xxxxxxxxx
[mailto:palliumjaipur@xxxxxxxxx] .
For more details on the courses we offer, please visit:
http://palliumindia.org/courses/ [http://palliumindia.org/courses/]
–
A NEEDED BARRIER TO PAIN RELIEF
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2015/08/A-NEEDED-BARRIER-TO-PAIN-RELIEF/]
Concerned over the welfare of people with dengue fever, the Delhi
government has banned over-the-counter sale of NSAIDs
[http://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/delhi-government-bans-over-the-counter-sale-of-nsaids-without-prescription/48445386]
without prescription.
The impact is questionable, because all over the country, prescription
drugs are sold over-the-counter without prescription, though the regulations
may not permit it. Feeble attempts in the past at curbing this practice have
failed to make an impact. The ethical right and wrong of it, perhaps, is
difficult to decide because such a vast number of Indians do not have access to
doctors anyway.
–
ACTION PLAN FOR MAKING YOUR CITY WHEELCHAIR-FRIENDLY
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2015/08/ACTION-PLAN-FOR-MAKING-YOUR-CITY-WHEELCHAIR-FRIENDLY/]
Is your city one for its citizens or is it only meant for its
completely able-bodied people?
On 22 July 2015, five people on wheelchair – one person with
quadriplegia and four with paraplegia – got together with government officials,
doctors and social activists to discuss how Trivandrum city in Kerala can be
made wheelchair friendly
[http://palliumindia.org/2015/07/hidden-lives-hidden-patients-lives-of-people-on-wheelchair/]
.
These are the action points that emerged from these discussions.
1. Improve public awareness. NGOs can play a crucial part in organizing
awareness programs.
2. Conduct awareness programs for builders regarding the needs of
wheelchair bound individuals.
3. Fast-track courts should be involved in quicker processing of
pension schemes and insurance / accident claims.
4. Submit proposal to the government to create a special wing for
handling disability pension schemes for patients and caregivers.
5. Create a group / forum (involving social media) for
“wheelchair-friendly” discussions and activities.
6. Submit a proposal for considering special reservation for jobs for
differently abled and wheelchair-bound people.
–
SEEKING EXPERIENCED INTERNATIONAL PHYSICIANS
[HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/2015/03/SEEKING-EXPERIENCED-INTERNATIONAL-PHYSICIANS/]
Pallium India seeks clinically experienced international physicians who
are able to practice and teach in a variety of settings, include home visits,
outpatient visits, and the inpatient unit. They must be adaptable to new
environments and be able to commit to over 3 months. Pallium India will provide
translators as most patients will prefer to speak Malayalam. Teaching will be
done in English.
If you are interested, please write to us: info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
–
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/]
–
NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
* Innovative model for palliative care emerging in rural North India
[http://www.ehospice.com/articleview/tabid/10686/articleid/16346/language/en-gb/innovative-model-for-palliative-care-emerging-in-rural-north-india.aspx]
* Plea for Palliative Care Policy in Andhra Pradesh
[http://www.baynews.in/vizag-special/plea-for-palliative-care-policy]
* Palliative Care: You are the Bridge
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDHhg76tMHc]
* The Observer view on a dignified end to life
[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/16/observer-editorial-dignified-end-to-life-assisted-dying]
* 10 things I learnt from cancer
[http://www.ehospice.com/ArticleView/tabid/10686/ArticleId/16352/language/en-GB/View.aspx]
* How does your brain respond to pain?
[http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-does-your-brain-respond-to-pain-karen-d-davis]
* End of life care means meeting the emotional needs of patients and
families
[http://www.ehospice.com/canadaenglish/articleview/tabid/10678/articleid/16362/language/en-us/end-of-life-care-means-meeting-the-emotional-needs-of-patients-and-families.aspx]
* Doctors Fail to Address Patients’ Spiritual Needs
[http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/08/13/doctors-fail-to-address-patients-spiritual-needs/?_r=1]
* I will not let a computer come between me and my patient
[http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2015/07/board-certification-is-no-guarantee-of-excellent-patient-care.html]
* Whose End of Life Is It, Anyway?
[http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/849079]
* Hope Floats [http://www.explara.com/leap/hope-floats/]
* Cancer a major health risk in South Asia
[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/Cancer-a-major-health-risk-in-South-Asia/articleshow/48748216.cms]
* A Human Rights Treaty Finally Recognizes the Right to Palliative Care
[https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/human-rights-treaty-finally-recognizes-right-palliative-care]
–
PARTING SHOT
WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM? [HTTP://PALLIUMINDIA.ORG/DONATE]
While discussing our activities, a friend of Pallium India, prefacing
his question with a usual ‘great work you are doing’, asked, "
_“All that must be expensive. Where does the money come from?”_"
Well, here is where the money comes from:
* A widowed pensioner living alone in Trivandrum, quietly drops in at
our office on her way back from the treasury (from where she collects her
pension every month) leaves a certain amount with us, patiently waits for a
receipt, collects it and goes.
* A not-very-well-paid public servant writes to us, “I am not a rich
person. I am sorry that this amount is so small. This is for my Dad’s death
anniversary in grateful memory of what you did for him. I hope to do this every
year.” The amount was, by no means, small for us.
* Professor Jo Eland of Iowa University gets the Humanitarian award
from American Society For Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN). The money comes to
Pallium India.
* A mother living in Dubai about to celebrate her child’s first
birthday, pauses for a minute to think about children whose lives are grey. She
sends enough to have a celebration for children who have birthdays that month.
* The members of CurleyStreet Media come to Trivandrum for a shooting
schedule. When they leave, they send a substantial cheque to support our work.
* The foundation manager of an international philanthropic organization
finds that the proposal that we submitted was not quite up to the standard and
patiently spends time with our team to teach us how to do it better.
THIS IS ONLY A PART OF THE STORY. WE ARE ABLE TO GO ON, THANKS TO THOSE
KIND-HEARTED SOULS WHO THINK OF THE OTHERS WHO NEED THEIR HELP. THANK YOU,
EVERYONE, FOR SUPPORTING US.
