A Beacon of Hope
Imagine a mother in a remote Indian village, cradling her child as they face a life-limiting illness. For families like hers, the word “palliative care” might once have felt distant—a luxury reserved for cities. But today, thanks to the Lien Collaborative, hope arrives in the quietest moments.
This is the story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The Lien Collaborative isn’t just an initiative—it’s a movement fueled by compassion. Over chai breaks and late-night training sessions, they’ve equipped local nurses, doctors, and community workers with the tools to ease pain, both physical and emotional. Their mission? To ensure no one suffers alone, no matter where they live.
In regions where healthcare often feels out of reach, the Collaborative’s teams trek dusty roads to sit with patients, listen to their stories, and offer relief. “It’s not just about medicine,” explains Dr. Priya, a recently trained palliative care worker. “It’s about dignity. Holding someone’s hand, reminding them they matter—that’s what changes lives.”
The numbers are staggering—thousands trained, countless families supported—but the real magic lies in the moments you won’t find in reports: A grandfather smiling through his pain to play with his grandchildren again. A daughter finally sleeping through the night, knowing her mother isn’t struggling alone.
Yet challenges linger. Resources are stretched, and stigma around end-of-life care persists. But the Collaborative thrives on partnership, weaving together global expertise and local heart.
This isn’t just healthcare. It’s humanity in action. And as the Lien Collaborative grows, so does its ripple effect—one tender conversation, one trained caregiver, one life at a time.
Stay tuned as we share more stories of courage and connection. Want to help? Share their work, spread the word, or simply take a moment today to ask someone, “How can I support you?” Sometimes, change begins just like that.
The Stories
CASE STUDY – GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL GANDHINAGAR
Gandhinagar Government Hospital swiftly evolved to a nodal centre for palliative care capacity building within a short period of time after participating in Lien Collab, equipping it to train district hospitals and directly improving support for patients facing serious illnesses in the remote areas of Jammu & Kashmir. We learn more about the contributing factors, such as a supportive government, a sympathetic administration, and dedicated individuals, which paved the way for this transformation.
PLANTING THE SEEDS OF PALLIATIVE CARE
Palliative care found its roots in India during the 1980s, albeit without a formal structure. By 2016, acknowledging the urgent need (7 million patients annually, with only 4% receiving care), the introduction of the Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care marked a significant stride. Building upon the groundwork laid by earlier efforts, this collaboration with key institutions aimed to integrate palliative care within hospitals, symbolising a shift from the previous community-centred approaches.
CASE STUDY – KASTURBA MEDICAL COLLEGE
How does a tertiary hospital incorporate palliative care, and what are the actual implications for administration? We take a closer look at Kasturba Medical College, our co-lead institute for Lien Collab in India, to find out more.
RIPPLES OF CTC
With its success in establishing palliative care services in previously underserved areas, the Lien Collaborative – otherwise known as CTC in India – continues to evolve, learning from each cycle to enhance its impact on patient care nationwide, and even growing beyond benefitting the trained cohort.
TRAINING & EDUCATION
The Lien Collaborative fosters growth and structured approaches towards palliative care training, aiming to create sustainable programs that enrich the field across different countries, considering their unique healthcare settings and needs. In this video, we explore the critical necessity for comprehensive training and progression of specialists in palliative care.
THE LIEN COLLABORATIVE STORY: INDIA
Explore the remarkable journey of the Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care. Jointly developed by the Lien Foundation and the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network, the Collaborative has transformed the palliative care narrative in underserved Asian countries. With a significant influence in 10 countries, training 153 institutions and 512 dedicated professionals, this is the story of their impact in India and beyond.
A LOOK AT CTC5
Lien Collab training involves doctors, nurses, and faculty volunteers in a collaborative effort spanning various institutions. The programme’s focus on creating awareness and capacity building within the medical fraternity remains a challenge, yet the dedication and involvement of the participants and faculty reflect a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction in contributing to palliative care advancement. We see all this and more, in a look at the CTC 5 Refresher Course held in New Delhi during March 2023.
TRAILER: THE LIEN COLLABORATIVE STORY: INDIA
Watch the trailer on how the Lien Collaborative transformed the narrative of palliative care in Asia, starting with its impact in India. Find out more about the Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care at http://liencollab.org
