2021; Volume 22, No 4, April
Members’ Impact
Tara Devi Laabar is PhD candidate at The University of Western Australia Medical School, and an associate lecturer at the University of Medical Sciences, Department of Nursing, in Bhutan. She joined the IAHPC in 2020.
Ms. Laabar is lead author of an article titled “Palliative care needs among patients with advanced illnesses in Bhutan” published by BMC Palliative Care in January 2021.
According to the abstract, palliative care is an emerging concept in Bhutan, where it is inadequate or nonexistent. This study explored the palliative care needs of patients diagnosed with advanced illnesses by surveying 70 patients for these symptoms: fatigue, pain, insomnia, loss of appetite and the financial impact from the disease. The study concludes that patients’ symptom burden experienced by patients affected by advanced illnesses demonstrates the need for palliative care in Bhutan.
The study is a component of a larger project that aims to inform a suitable palliative care model for the country. The findings, according to the authors, “will help inform the development of a public health-focused palliative care model, modified to the Bhutanese context, as recommended by the World Health Organization.” Access the article here.
Six IAHPC members contributed an article titled “Preparedness and Capacity of Indian Palliative Care Services to Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic: An online rapid assessment survey,” published in the Indian Journal of Palliative Care in its first issue of 2021.
In order of authorship, the members are: Eve Namisango, Emmanuel Luyirika, Irene Higginson, Richard Harding, Naveen Salins, and Sushma Bhatnagar. The lead author is Cheng-Pei Lin of the Cecily Saunders Institute in London.
The purpose of the study was to assess the preparedness and capacity of Indian palliative care services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey emailed to all Indian Palliative Care Association members was completed by 78 service providers. Researchers concluded that the following resources were needed to support the Indian health system in delivering essential care during pandemics: 1) infection control, especially in the community; 2) training using existing clinical protocols to strengthen palliative care across the health system; and 3) redeployment plans. Access the article here.
You, our members, are IAHPC's most important and cherished resource. Members' Impact celebrates your successes; let us know about:
- Your articles and books that have been published (in the medical literature)
- Your research posters that have been disseminated
- Your awards
- Your successful initiatives, such as fundraising programs, workplace advances, online courses or presentations, etc.
Contact me, IAHPC Programs Officer Genevieve Napier, to tell spread the news of your achievement, or alert us to the achievement of another IAHPC member.
Members in This Month’s Newsletter
The IAHPC leadership would like to thank the many members who participated in stories and columns in this month’s newsletter.
Policy & Advocacy
- Zipporah Ali, member since 2009, supported the Global Consensus-Based Palliative Care Definition, participated in the COVID-19 Briefing Notes, and served as Advocacy Focal Group.
- Simone Cernesi, member since 2017, supported and translated the Global Consensus-Based Palliative Care Definition, and participated in the COVID-19 Briefing Notes and survey.
- Farzana Khan, member since 2013, participated in the COVID-19 Briefing Notes and served as part of the Advocacy Focal Group.
- Harmala Gupta, member since 2009, supported the Global Consensus-Based Palliative Care Definition and participated in the COVID-19 Briefing Notes.
- Eddi Mwebesa has been a member since 2011.
- Jessica Zitter has been a member since 2021.
- Galina Khemlina has been a member since 2020.
- Jennifer Hunt, member since 2013, supported the Global Consensus-Based Palliative Care Definition, and participated in the COVID-19 Briefing Notes and survey.
- Tania Pastrana, member since 2010, translated and supported the Global Consensus-Based Palliative Care Definition, participated in the Opioid Price Watch, and participated in the COVID-19 Briefing Notes and survey.
Featured Story
- Claudia Burlá, who also contributed to the Advocacy Report, has been a member since 2010, supported the Global Consensus-Based Palliative Care Definition, and participated in the COVID-19 Briefing Notes.
Lessons Learned
- Tania Pastrana, member since 2010, translated and supported the Global Consensus-Based Palliative Care Definition, participated in the Opioid Price Watch, and participated in the COVID-19 Briefing Notes and survey.
Media Watch
- Barry R. Ashpole has been a member since 2018.
Members’ Impact
- Tara Devi Laabar has been a member since 2020.
- Eve Namisango, member since 2013, participated in the COVID-19 Briefing Notes.
- Emmanuel Luyirika, member since 2012, participated in the COVID-19 Briefing Notes.
- Irene Higginson, member since 2020, participated in the COVID-19 Briefing Notes.
- Richard Harding, member since 2008, participated in the COVID-19 Briefing Notes.
- Naveen Salins, member since 2015, supported the Global Consensus-Based Palliative Care Definition.
- Sushma Bhatnagar, member since 2011, participated in Opioid Price Watch, supported the Global Consensus-Based Palliative Care Definition, and served as part of the Advocacy Focal Group.
Links to IAHPC programs mentioned above: Global Consensus-Based Palliative Care Definition,COVID-19 Briefing Notes and Opioid Price Watch.
List of Members
A list of individuals who joined, or renewed their membership with, IAHPC during the past month.
Membership renewals
| Name | Country |
|---|---|
| Kimberly Pulliam | Afghanistan |
| Anam Cara House Colac Inc | Australia |
| Eastern Palliative Care Association, Inc. | Australia |
| Maria Cigolini | Australia |
| Palliative and Supportive Service, Flinders University | Australia |
| Kenia da Hora | Brazil |
| Kim P Adzich | Canada |
| Hong Kong Society of Palliative Medicine | China |
| Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care | China |
| Gouri Shankar Bhattacharyya | India |
| Lalchhanhima Ralte | India |
| Erna Rochmawati | Indonesia |
| Mothers Earth' NGO | Mongolia |
| Nightingale Nursing Services, Inc. | Philippines |
| Noel P Pingoy | Philippines |
| Boubacar Poulho Sow | Senegal |
| Singapore Hospice Council | Singapore |
| Maria Teresa Garcia-Baqurero Merino | Spain |
| Preston Edwards | United States |
| Alvaro Mendez Guerra | Uruguay |
| Agnes Chipo Tererai | Zimbabwe |
| Chenjerai Bhodhen | Zimbabwe |
New members
| Name | Country |
|---|---|
| Alyson Gundry | Australia |
| Suzanne Smith | Australia |
| Kate Volpini | Canada |
| Leiner Jesus Colpas Gutierrez | Colombia |
| Sofia Poveda Carreno | Colombia |
| Ericka Parra | Ecuador |
| Betty Mullenkuzhiyil | India |
| Kanimozhi Rajalingam | India |
| Parag Afuwale | India |
| Usharani Sasikumar | India |
| Hong Li | United Kingdom |
| Oladayo Afolabi | United Kingdom |
| Hospice of the North Coast | United States |
| Shoshana Ungerleider | United States |
See the full list of IAHPC members
