Beyond Medicine – Singapore-India Partnership Provides Holistic Palliative Care for Patients and Caregivers

Dr M. R. Rajagopal, Founder of Pallium India and widely recognised as the father of palliative care in India, said: “Relief from pain is a human right, not a privilege. The work we do today is not just about medicine. It is about restoring dignity, honouring life, and ensuring no one suffers in silence.”

This belief is at the heart of the PACT project – a three-year collaboration between the SIF and Pallium India – which champions holistic palliative care that goes beyond medicine to support both patients and their caregivers.  

The project is led by a team of Singapore International Volunteers (SIVs) comprising specialists in geriatrics, palliative and family medicine, music therapy, and adult education. These SIVs will work alongside Indian healthcare professionals representing a broad spectrum of clinical and allied health disciplines, to deliver a more compassionate, comprehensive model of care in 14 states.

Dr Rajagopal also highlighted that systemic change cannot be achieved by any single organisation alone.  

He said: “We have very important work to do, but integrating palliative care into mainstream healthcare services is not an easy task – no organisation can do it alone.”  

Through cross-border collaboration and shared learning between Singaporean and Indian healthcare professionals, PACT demonstrates how partnerships can play a powerful role in transforming care for those in need.

Leading the SIV team, Dr Ramaswamy Akhileswaran said: “Providing holistic care is about addressing not just the physical needs of patients, but also their emotional and psychological wellbeing. I am grateful for this opportunity to share knowledge with my peers in India, and to learn from them in return. Together, we can enhance palliative care services and bring greater comfort to those in need.”

In 2026, SIF and Pallium India will work toward a Leaders Roundtable to provide PACT participants a platform to engage other Indian healthcare leaders on policy and systemic changes. Participants will also be equipped with training and mentorship skills, empowering them to share knowledge with peers and medical students in their respective states. These project components are designed to maximise the scale and sustainability of PACT’s impact and help effect systemic change collaboratively.

For many Indian healthcare professionals taking part in the PACT project, the opportunity to collaborate and learn alongside their Singaporean peers is both meaningful and timely.

Dr Sajida Abdulla, Assistant Professor, Government Medical College, Ernakulam, Kerala said: “I believe that quality palliative care should be accessible to every patient, no matter where they live. Through PACT, I hope to strengthen my ability to train peers in my state so that we can reach more families and support them through one of the most difficult journeys in life.”

Mr Parag Pevekar, Associate Psychosocial Interventions, Karuna Evam Shanti Vahini Foundation, Mumbai, Maharashtra said: “Palliative care is still evolving in many parts of India. What excites me about this project is the exchange of ideas — learning from the Singapore team and sharing what has worked in our own contexts. I hope these mutual learnings will help us build a more integrated and compassionate healthcare system.”

The project’s inclusion of non-clinical support – such as music therapy – is another significant aspect of its holistic approach.

Ms Bhuvaneswari Ramesh, Assistant Professor and PhD Scholar, School of Music Therapy ISCM, SBV and Regional Liaison (Southeast Asia), World Federation of Music Therapy, is a guest lecturer for the music therapy module at PACT.  

She said: “Music therapy is not a luxury. It’s an essential part of healing and coping. I’ve seen how music can ease anxiety, reduce pain, and create moments of connection for both patients and their caregivers. Working with the Singapore team allows us to explore new techniques together and build awareness of how music therapy can complement medical care.”

Together, these voices reflect the shared hope driving PACT: to uplift lives by transforming palliative care into a more inclusive, human-centred experience – one that acknowledges the full spectrum of needs faced by patients and those who care for them.

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