Palliative Care Training Launched Across 14 Indian States with Support from Singapore

In a powerful collaboration to improve palliative care in India, the Singapore International Foundation (SIF) and Pallium India have launched the PACT (Palliative Care Accessibility Core Training) project. This program aims to train healthcare professionals from 14 Indian states in the essential skills and knowledge needed for high-quality end-of-life care.

🌍 A Global Partnership for Better Care

This is the fifth PACT initiative, following successful efforts in Indonesia and China. The project supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially:

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
SDG 17 – Partnerships for Sustainable Development

🧑‍⚕️ What Will the Training Include?

Around 30 selected participants will receive:

Mentorship and hands-on training
Opportunities to train peers and medical students
Exposure to clinical and non-clinical aspects of palliative care

They will also participate in:

An online seminar
A study trip to Singapore

📘 What Will Doctors and Professionals Learn?

The program will cover:

Management of complex symptoms in palliative care
Care for non-cancer patients (renal, cardiac, respiratory, neurological conditions)
Advanced care planning
Communication skills for end-of-life conversations
Knowledge of essential and narcotic drugs used in pain and symptom control
Legal aspects of drug purchase, storage, and distribution

👥 Who Will Benefit?

The course is designed for both clinical and allied health professionals, including:

Doctors, nurses, and social workers
Physiotherapists and occupational therapists
Speech and music therapists
Pastoral care workers

It will be led by a multidisciplinary team from Singapore International Volunteers (SIV), including experts in palliative medicine, geriatric care, music therapy, and education. The lead faculty is Dr. Ramaswamy Akhileswaran, a senior consultant in palliative medicine from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore.

💡 Why This Matters

India has a growing need for trained palliative care professionals, as more patients live with serious and chronic illnesses. This project helps ensure that healthcare providers are: