The first-ever symposium on ‘Evidence based Palliative Care’ was conducted in Hyderabad in the memory of Dr. Jella Nandedkar on 26th October 2024. The symposium was organized jointly by the Indo-American Cancer Association and the Pain Relief and Palliative care society Hyderabad. The event brought together prominent professionals to discuss evidence-based practices and advancements in palliative care.

The symposium began with an opening address by Dr. Manjula Baghavathula (Secretary, Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society, Hyderabad), and was followed by an award ceremony honouring the memory of Dr. Jella Nandedkar. Dr. Sriram Yennu (Professor, MD Anderson cancer Hospital) delivered a keynote presentation on new treatments for cancer- related fatigue in advanced cancer. Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar (Chief Dr BRA IRCH, AIIMS New Delhi and President, Indian Association of Palliative Care) spoke on the development of palliative care in India, highlighting the progress and ongoing challenges.

The symposium then proceeded to cover significant topics by eminent faculty members. Sessions on Implications of burnout among healthcare providers, Evidence surrounding serious health-related sufferings, Trends and evidence in managing chronic pain in children, and Role of Octreotide in palliative care were delivered by Dr. Suresh K Reddy (Professor, MD Anderson Cancer Hospital), Dr. Nandini Vallath (Head of the Department, Palliative Medicine, St. John’s Hospital, Bangalore), Dr. Gayatri Palat (Head of the Department, Pain and Palliative Medicine, MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre, Hyderabad), and Dr. Praneeth Suvvari (Consultant and In-charge, Department of Palliative Medicine, Indo-American Hospital, Hyderabad) respectively.

The event was concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Gayatri Palat. The legal and ethical considerations of euthanasia, Assisted suicide, and Advance Care Planning in India were the topics discussed in the panel discussion. The panellists, Dr. Sushma Bhatnagar, Dr. Nandini Vallath, Dr. Suresh Reddy, Dr. Sriram Yennu, and Dr. Praneeth Suvvari spoke on diverse perspectives of these very sensitive topics. The symposium was concluded with the final remarks by Dr. Priya kumari (Founder and Treasurer, Pain Relief and Palliative Care Society, Hyderabad).The symposium emphasized the need to practice evidence based palliative care in India.