IACA is about Cure as well as Care, even when Cure is no longer possible.
In India, very few cancer patients have the possibility of dying with dignity and minimal distress, because little attention is paid to the terminally ill. Every year, tens of thousands of cancer patients will die agonizing deaths with no pain relief, symptomatic care, or support. Because the need is so evident, IACA has committed to making pain and palliative care of cancer patients a key focus of its activities in India. After the successful efforts of supporting 12 hospitals and NGOs in India, a decision was made to focus on education and training in order to increase qualified manpower in the field of pain and palliative care. IACA’s objective is to train doctors and nurses who want to serve society by practicing in the palliative care field.
IACA, in collaboration with Pallium India, launched a six-week certificate course in palliative care for doctors and nurses on January 1st, 2015, at pioneering palliative care centers across India. The intention is to offer high-quality practical training with consistent goals and training methods.
Project Goals
- To administer standardized PC curriculum through a residential program at preselected centers and measure the improvements in knowledge domains before and after the course
- To monitor the long-term impact of the training program on knowledge, sustainability of competence, satisfaction, and patient care
- To impact palliative care services provided to cancer patients across India by ensuring a well-qualified workforce
This scholarship training is available for a total of 10 pairs (20 fellows) per year, consisting of one doctor and one nurse at the seven palliative care centers across India. Each center is expected to enroll two pairs of candidates in a year for the training program.
Fellows will be required to provide a mid-term progress report after 6 months of completion of the course to IACA, the host institution, and Pallium India. After submitting 6 monthly reports, the candidate will be awarded a fellowship certificate.
Project Geography/Host Institutions
The Palliative Care fellowships will take place at the major palliative care cancer centers in India.
- Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences, Trivandrum, KERALA
- Mehdi Nawaj Jung Institute of Oncology and Research Center, Hyderabad, ANDHRA PRADESH
- The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Ahmedabad, GUJARAT
- Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA
- CanSupport-AIIMS, New Delhi
- The Cipla Palliative Care and Training Centre, Pune, MAHARASHTRA
- Kasturba Medical College, Manipala Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, KARNATAKA