The Diplomat Desk
Jammu,TDD, The government hospital Gandhinagar Jammu, under the Directorate of Health Services, marked World Hospice and Palliative Care Day with a significant event, highlighting its ongoing leadership in providing compassionate care for patients with life-threatening illnesses.
The theme for the 2024 celebration, “ten Years Since the Resolution: How Are We Doing?”, reflects on the decade since the World Health Assembly’s resolution calling for the integration of palliative care into health systems worldwide.
Dr Abdul Hamid Zargar, Medical Superintendent of Government Hospital Gandhinagar, was the Chief Guest at the event, while Dr Harbaksh Singh, Chief Medical Officer of Jammu district, served as the Guest of Honour. Other notable attendees included Dr. Balvinder Singh, Deputy Medical Superintendent of the hospital, along with faculty from AIIMS Jammu, GMC Jammu, and AOI.
Dr. Rohit Lahori, Interventional Pain and Palliative Care Specialist and Nodal Officer for NPPC (National Program for Palliative Care) Jammu Division, served as the Organizing Secretary.
The event was held in collaboration with the Indian Association of Palliative Care, underscoring the hospital’s commitment to raising awareness about the critical role of palliative care in improving the quality of life for patients and their families. Palliative care focuses on addressing the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of patients with serious illnesses, providing relief from pain and distress.
Government Hospital Gandhinagar: A Pioneer in Palliative Care in J&K
Government Hospital Gandhinagar has established itself as the first palliative care center in Jammu and Kashmir, achieving several milestones since the inception of its pain, palliative, and supportive care services on April 12, 2019. The initiative was inaugurated by then Principal Secretary of Health, Mr. Atal Dulloo, now Chief Secretary. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital continued to offer regular outpatient services for palliative care patients.
On March 31, 2021, Honourable Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha virtually inaugurated palliative care services across all district hospitals in J&K, with the physical inauguration of the state-of-the-art 12-bed palliative care ward at Government Hospital Gandhinagar. This development further solidified the hospital’s role as a leader in providing compassionate, end-of-life care.
The hospital’s achievements also include being selected for an ICMR project in partnership with AIIMS New Delhi, aimed at building capacity in palliative care across North India. Additionally, it became the first training center in Jammu and Kashmir for the Certified Course in Essentials of Palliative Care (CCEPC), under the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC).
Future Directions: Expanding Palliative Care Across J&K
Looking ahead, Government Hospital Gandhinagar plans to expand its palliative care services to district hospitals, participate in research studies, and collaborate with national institutions. The hospital is also committed to raising awareness about palliative care through community engagement initiatives, ensuring that more people understand the importance of compassionate care for patients facing life-limiting illnesses.
This year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day celebration served as a reminder of the progress made in the field of palliative care and the work that still lies ahead in ensuring that every patient in need has access to quality care.TDD
