The Medical Advisory Board

PALCARE has set up a group of experts in palliative care to guide us and ensure that we deliver on our promise. They bring with them impeccable reputations and decades of invaluable experience; and lead the way in providing a cutting-edge service.

Dr. Mary Ann Muckaden
Professor, Dept. of Palliative Medicine,
Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai;
Ex-President Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC)

Dr. Mary Ann is a doyen in palliative medicine in India. She has championed the cause of palliative care throughout the country and particularly in Maharashtra, leading the way in creating greater awareness for the urgent and critical need for palliative care with the government, medical profession and individuals. The Integration of Palliative Care into the trajectory of illness as early as possible for patients with life limiting conditions and their families is one of her areas of special interest. She has played a leading role in the development of Education in Palliative Medicine. Her Research work is seminal with over 50 publications in National and International Indexed Journals, 9 book chapters and several IRB reviewed and multi centric projects.

Ms. Harmala Gupta
Founder
CanSupport, New Delhi

Harmala is a cancer survivor and social activist who has pioneered cancer support services in India. She founded the first cancer support group in India, ‘Cancer Sahyog’ in 1990. In 1996, she initiated a 3-month pilot project in collaboration with the cancer hospital in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, to bring palliative care to the homes of six patients with terminal cancer along with Ruth Wooldridge, a nurse from the UK. Today, CanSupport’s home-based palliative care takes care of more than 2000 patients at any one point in time. The organisation is highly regarded both at home and abroad for the excellent quality of its services which continue to be provided free of charge to underprivileged cancer patients and their families resident in Delhi and the National Capital Region. In recognition of her contributions, Harmala has received numerous distinctions and awards.

Dr. R Akhileswaran
Senior Consultant,
Specialist in Palliative Medicine,
Dept. of Geriatric Medicine,
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore

Dr R Akhileswaran is a specialist in Palliative Medicine and Radiation Oncology. He has trained and worked in both specialties in the US, UK, France and India. He is currently working full time as a palliative care specialist in Singapore. He has also spoken in International conferences across the globe and published his work in accredited medical journals and books. He is actively involved in training doctors, nurses and psychosocial staff in graduate and post-graduate studies in Singapore. Apart from that he has also led “Train the Trainers” programmes in Indonesia and Myanmar. He was the Chairman of Singapore Hospice Council, the umbrella body for all hospice and palliative care organisations in Singapore for two terms from 2011-2015.

Dr. Naveen Salins
Professor and Head
Department of Palliative Medicine,
Kasturba Medical College, Manipal

Dr. Naveen Salins is the Professor and Head in the Department of Palliative Medicine at the Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. He is also the Editor of the Indian Journal of Palliative Care, Director of the EPEC India program of the North-western University United States and Honorary Tutor of the School of Medicine, Cardiff University UK. Dr. Salins is the mentor of the CTC-RMI program of the Government of India for implementing the provisions of amended NDPS act. He was instrumental in creating the curriculum for MD Palliative Medicine and is the member of the executive group of the Medical Council of India.His area of interest in palliative care is end of life care, and he played a pivotal role in drawing up the position statement and policy guidelines on end of life care for India.