Naharlagun, May 6: In a collaborative effort to enhance the quality of healthcare for the elderly and those battling life-limiting illnesses, the Arunachal Pradesh government has launched a four-day certificate training program focused on foundational palliative and geriatric care.
The program, organised under the National Program for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) and the National Program for Palliative Care (NPPC) through the National Health Mission (NHM), is being held from May 6 to 9 next, at a city hotel here.
It is conducted in partnership with the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC).
Palliative care is a specialised field of medicine aimed at alleviating pain, emotional distress, and other debilitating symptoms in patients with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer. It also extends support to families, with a focus on improving quality of life.
The NPPC seeks to expand access to these vital services across the state, while the NPHCE promotes healthy and dignified aging for those aged 60 and above.
The training initiative reflects a joint vision of the NPPC, NPHCE, and IAPC, India’s leading body promoting palliative care, to equip healthcare professionals with essential knowledge and skills.
IAPC has long been instrumental in building national capacity through professional empowerment and institutional support.
The inaugural session began with a formal introduction of the expert faculty, followed by a welcome address from Dr Geeta Joshi, President of the IAPC, who expressed her appreciation to the NHM and the state government for their proactive support.
State NHM mission director Marge Sora in his keynote address, emphasised the urgent need for focused care for the elderly and those in palliative stages.
State nodal officer for NPHCE Dr Dukam Taipodia, launched a promotional video on elderly healthcare. He also underscored the importance of integrating Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) within both NPPC and NPHCE frameworks.
The training curriculum covers a broad spectrum of critical topics, including pain and symptom management, wound care, respiratory distress intervention, emergency response, end-of-life care, home-based support, and communication strategies for patients with terminal illnesses such as advanced cancer and heart failure.
It also encompasses key aspects of geriatric care such as managing common age-related health conditions, promoting mental and emotional well-being, ethical practices, and safeguarding against elder abuse.
More than ten distinguished experts in palliative and geriatric medicine including, Dr Geeta Joshi, senior consultant at Assam Cancer Care Foundation Dr Sanghamitra Bora, Dr Nandan Choudhary from AIIMS New Delhi; Dr Obangjungla, a specialist in home-based care from Dimapur; and Sachin Dwivedi, clinical instructor at AIIMS Rishikesh, participated.
Prominent state-level facilitators include Dr Hage Sonia, Radiation Oncologist and nodal officer for palliative care at TRIHMS; Aying Mary Siram, certified palliative care trainer at TCC TRIHMS; Dr Tashi Chotton, state nodal officer for NPPC; Dr Dukam Taipodia, state nodal officer for NPHCE; and Dr Bomto Riram, additional state nodal officer for NPHCE.
Healthcare professionals from all districts of the state, including district nodal officers, doctors, nurses, and program coordinators, are taking part in this initiative.
The program marks a significant advancement in building the state’s capacity to offer compassionate, skilled, and evidence-based care to its aging population and individuals facing serious illnesses.
