SHSRC-Kerala successfully conducted five batches of Foundation course workshop on Palliative medicine for Himachal Pradesh Health Professionals. The workshop was conducted from the request of Directorate of Health services (DHS) and National Health Mission (NHM) Himachal Pradesh. That mainly focuses on a significant step toward strengthening palliative care services.

This visionary initiative is part of a broader effort to implement the widely acclaimed Kerala model of palliative care across all legislative constituencies in Himachal Pradesh. The program was initiated following a formal request from Himachal Pradesh’s Health Minister, Health Secretary, and NHM Mission Director to the Health Department of Kerala during an earlier visit to Kerala. Its goal is to train 140 healthcare professionals— one doctor and one nurse from each constituency—to enhance palliative care delivery state-wide.

The training series, launched in this financial year August, offered an intensive 10-day workshop blending in-depth theoretical sessions with practical field visits. Participants gained hands-on experience across diverse care settings—outpatient, inpatient, and home care—equipping them with essential skills in patient-centred palliative support.

SHSRC-Kerala successfully concluded a comprehensive five-batch Foundation Course in Palliative Care for healthcare professionals from Himachal Pradesh this year. A total of 129 health professionals—comprising one doctor and one nurse from each of Himachal Pradesh's constituencies—are being trained through this ongoing program to become champions of palliative care in their home state. The Inaugural session of the foundation course, the Certificates were awarded by the Health Minister smt. Veena George

The course featured engaging and insightful sessions led by a distinguished faculty of experts, including: Dr. Mathews Numpeli, Dr. Bipin Gopal, Dr. Anjana S. P, Dr Unni pius, Dr M R Rajagopal, Dr Susan John, Dr Arjun Devarajan, Dr. Sudha P., Dr. Prasanth C. V., Dr. Ajayan, Dr. Baburaj Chakrapani, Dr. Athul Joseph Manuel, Dr. Vijayanand IAS (Retd), Dr. Preethi C. J, Mr. Sijo Vijayan, Dr Joy John, Dr Anil Paleri, Dr. John Abraham, , staff nurse Mrs Monisha, Mrs.Archana and Mrs. Stella, Mr. Saif Mohammed. The workshops were coordinated by SHSRC-Kerala Research Officers Dr. Nitha J.S. and Dr. Bhavya Fernandez.

The successful completion of the final batch marks a major milestone in the collaboration between Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, paving the way for more compassionate and comprehensive palliative care for those who need it most.