CanSupport was honoured to host a high-level panel discussion on the topic “Scaling Access to Palliative Care in India” at the World Health Summit Regional Meeting, which took place at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from April 25–27, 2025. The summit brought together leading global and regional voices to collaborate on health equity under the overarching theme, “Scaling Access to Ensure Health Equity.”
The panel discussion, held on April 26, 2025, drew attention to the urgent need for integrating palliative care into mainstream healthcare systems across the country.
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, was the guest of honour for the session.
The panel featured distinguished experts in the field:
- Dr. Bhawna Sirohi – Medical Director, Vedanta Medical Research Foundation – BALCO Medical Centre
- Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar – Former Chief, Dr. BRAIRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi
- Dr. Gayatri Palat – Professor, Pain and Palliative Medicine, MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Center, Hyderabad
- Dr. Alok Mathur – Additional Deputy Director General, Directorate General of Health Services
- Dr. Prakash Fernandes – Head, Palliative Care Partnerships, Cipla Foundation
The session was moderated by Radhika Shapoorjee, Honorary Secretary, CanSupport.
The discussion shed light on policy gaps, public awareness, capacity-building, and funding challenges in the palliative care ecosystem, while also exploring collaborative solutions to ensure dignified and compassionate care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
CanSupport remains committed to championing accessible and quality palliative care for all and was proud to contribute to this vital conversation at such a prominent global platform.
