The Paediatric Palliative Care (PPC) ECHO Program, an initiative by Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration and the Hyderabad Centre for Palliative Care, has set a new benchmark in advancing paediatric palliative care for children. This pioneering program, endorsed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) in the UK, is designed specifically for physicians in post-graduate palliative medicine training from India and Bangladesh. Its mission is to equip residents and fellows with the specialized skills required to support children with life-limiting conditions, including cancer, genetic disorders, congenital conditions, neurological challenges like cerebral palsy, and neonatal illnesses.
The PPC ECHO Program’s structure is built around 25 comprehensive sessions, each lasting 75 minutes, with the final session and closing ceremony held on November 13, 2024. Each session covered critical topics central to paediatric palliative care, such as:
- Paediatric Pain Assessment and Management
- Neurological Symptom Management
- End-of-Life Care for Paediatric and Non-Cancer Conditions
- Emergency Care in Paediatric Palliative Settings
- Ethical Challenges in Compassionate Extubation
- Communication Skills for Discussing Serious Illnesses with Parents
- Supporting Siblings and Breaking Bad News
- Grief, Bereavement, and Emotional Wellbeing
- Play Therapy, Feeding Issues, and Developmental Milestones
- Genetic Counseling, Complex Care, and Child Psychiatry
With 100 participants, including paediatricians, specialty physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals from India and Bangladesh, the programme provided a platform to share insights with global experts. Participants gained the tools to offer specialized, high-quality care, crafting condition-specific plans that ease suffering for children with serious health challenges.
The programme’s impact is powerfully captured in participant testimonials. Dr. Imtiaz Faruq, a palliative medicine resident at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in Dhaka, reflected, “PG ECHO training is a very helpful and useful PG training for taking care of children with palliative care needs. It is impactful and important for me as I am not a paediatrician and I have little experience in treating children. After this training I feel confident about treating and caring for children more effectively as a palliative medicine trainee.”
Dr. Adithya Krishnan, Junior resident/PG, All India institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, reflected on the transformative impact of the PPC-ECHO journey, stating, “When the journey with PPC ECHO started in March 2024, I never thought it would change my perception and interest towards paediatric palliative medicine. The course was wholesome and contained the essence of basic paediatric palliative medicine practice with contributions from eminent speakers across the globe. The knowledge gained through this course has been invaluable and has definitely helped not just me but the patients I see every day. Looking forward to more such events in future.”
Dr Huma Zafar, Assistant Professor Paediatric Hematology Oncology Department, Fellow of Paediatric Palliative care, University of Child Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, praised the programme. “The ECHO session emphasized and covered all key aspects of PPC, including symptoms management, communication skills, End of life care, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Faculty demonstrated expertise and showed strong competence. Case studies and interactive Q&A played an important role in enhancing practical skills”, she shared.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Megan Doherty, Paediatric Palliative Director for South Asia at Two Worlds Cancer Collaboration, expressed her congratulations to the participants, emphasizing, “The resources you’ve gained during this are there to support your future sessions and to teach others.” Dr. Spandana Rayala, Associate Director of the Sunflower Children’s Network, extended her gratitude, noting, “The dedication shown by both speakers and participants has been inspiring. Through case presentations and active engagement, we have all grown together.”
The PPC ECHO Programme has set a new standard for paediatric palliative care in South Asia, fostering a community ready to implement innovative, compassionate care plans for children in need. With continued expansion on the horizon, this impactful initiative remains committed to transforming paediatric palliative care across the region.
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