Insights from a Regional Review Meeting: A review meeting was convened as part of a ICMR funded research initiative aimed at strengthening palliative care services in peripheral hospitals across Northern India.
The project is led by Dr Sushma Bhatnagar and Dr Brajesh Kumar Ratre at AIIMS, Delhi, India and functioning as chief centre supporting nine nodal and 90 peripheral hospitals. Doctors and nurses trained under this initiative are now working to integrate palliative care into routine clinical practice at their respective institutions.
This meeting was organized at AIIMS, Jodhpur approximately six months after the completion of the formal training and brought together doctors and nurses from peripheral hospitals in the desert regions, along with representatives from the nodal centre at AIIMS Jodhpur and the AIIMS Delhi team, under the supervision of Dr. Manoj Kamal.
Dr. Varun Shekhar (AIIMS Delhi) actively discussing future activities planned for the coming months.
The review meeting included a comprehensive review of the progress of palliative care services across the ten peripheral hospitals enrolled under AIIMS, Jodhpur. A uniform presentation format was developed to present the peripheral hospital’s progress and shared with all participating peripheral hospitals. Each team presented an overview of their palliative care activities, including patients seen in outpatient and inpatient settings, availability and use of opioids, advocacy initiatives, and common symptoms encountered. Centre-wise presentations provided an opportunity to highlight key achievements as well as challenges faced during service development. Healthcare professionals shared their motivations, challenges, and the early impact of palliative care on patient and family care.
The meeting also featured case-based discussions conducted by Dr. Bharat Paliwal, which encouraged interactive learning and clinical reflection. These discussions allowed participants to apply palliative care principles to real-life clinical scenarios, encouraged shared problem-solving, and reinforced key concepts introduced during the training programme. Mr. Jagdish Prajapat (SNO) emphasized the importance of systematic documentation and accurate opioid record-keeping during his interactive lecture.
The State Nodal Officer, Rajasthan, presented an overview of the implementation of the National Programme for Palliative Care (NPPC) and engaged in an interactive discussion with participants to provide guidance and clarify issues related to alignment with national priorities and programme implementation.
Representatives from AIIMS, Delhi, Dr Varun Shekhar and Dr Suraj Pal Singh discussed the proposed activities planned for the next six months of the project. The discussion focused on strengthening ongoing palliative care services at peripheral hospitals through continued mentoring and follow-up support.
Participants acknowledged that while systems and resources are important, sustainable progress depends largely on motivated healthcare teams supported through ongoing mentorship, peer learning, and continued engagement with the nodal and chief centres.
Distribution of certificates of appreciation to encourage the participants.
The meeting reinforced the understanding that even small and consistent efforts at the grassroots level can significantly reduce suffering and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Such review meetings are not merely checkpoints, but vital spaces for connection and renewal. They strengthen confidence, normalize challenges, and reaffirm shared purpose among healthcare professionals working in peripheral hospitals.
Sustainable palliative care is built not only through training programmes, but through ongoing reflection, shared learning, and sustained collective commitment.
Dr. Varun Shekhar
Consultant (Non-Medical)
Department of Onco-Anaesthesia & Palliative Medicine
Dr. B.R.A. IRCH
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi
Email ID: varunshekhar18@gmail.com
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Lead Photo: Participants from peripheral hospitals with faculty from AIIMS Jodhpur and AIIMS Delhi at the regional review meeting of the ICMR-funded project.
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