Oceanic Palliative Care Conference report 

APLI booth and posters

For the first time at such a conference, APLI purchased a booth as part of the trade display. Staffed by APLI Executive Committee members as well as Project Hamrahi volunteer mentors, we generated substantial interest – not just in the sale of bags made from recycled saris, purchased from the Rohit Memorial Trust in Vizag, but also for conference delegates to meet APLI team members and learn about the work we are doing.

Maite Uribe, Chris Drummond and Odette Spruijt had a number of posters accepted for display at the conference, in partnership with their Indian colleagues, Dr Vidya Viswanath from Vizag in Andhra Pradesh and Dr Sreedevi Warrier from Pallium India.

‘Ten years on… What have we learnt from Project Hamrahi?’ explained the background to the project and listed some of the key lessons learnt:

• The value of preparation. Pallium India recommends sites that are ready to host APLI mentors and significant work is done prior
• The value of developing sustained relationships between mentor and host sites. Repeated visits to the same site facilitates trust, deeper understanding, closer relationships and mentor credibility.
• The importance of cultural sensitivity and learning, which builds trust and allows mentors to gain a wider world view of palliative care delivery.
• The importance of assessing outcomes. APLI mentors are a scarce and valuable resource, and the need for palliative care support in India is immense. As such, we are cognisant of the need to direct our efforts where outcomes can be achieved.
• The importance of a vibrant APLI community. APLI always appreciates new members, members who are prepared to contribute with their individual skills and expertise, mindful that one can contribute very meaningfully in ways other than direct mentorship.
• Recognising our common humanity and gaining perspective on life. Many of our fundamental struggles are similar, despite living in very different societies. APLI mentors often return home with a revised perspective on their work and life.
• Acknowledgment that APLI mentors can have significant political and professional influence through either the media or local champions.

A particular highlight was the awarding of Best Oral Presentation to Rachel Coghlan on her ongoing research, which can be found on the following page.