M. R. Rajagopal Explained

M. R. Rajagopal
Birth Date:1947 9, df=yes
Birth Place:Trivandrum, Kerala, India
Profession:Physician
Field:Palliative Medicine
Known For:Pioneer in palliative medicine in India
Years Active:1994–present
Prizes:Padma Shri (2018)

M. R. Rajagopal (born 23 September 1947) is an Indian palliative care physician (anesthesiologist) and professor referred to as the 'father of palliative care in India'[1] [2] in honour of his significant contribution to the palliative care scene in India.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Rajagopal is the Founder Chairman of Pallium India, a palliative care non-governmental organisation formed in 2003 and based in Kerala, India.[8] [9]

Rajagopal was the prime mover in the creation of the National Program for Palliative Care (NPPC) by the Ministry of Health of Government of India.

His advocacy has contributed to amendment of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of India in 2014 and in its implementation—a critical step in reducing needless suffering and allowing millions to access pain relief.[10]

A documentary film based on Rajagopal's life, titled 'Hippocratic: 18 Experiments in Gently Shaking the World'[11] was released by Moonshine Agency, Australia, on World Palliative Care Day, 14 October 2017.[12] [13] [14] [15]

In 2018, the Indian Government honoured Rajagopal with the Padma Shri award, "one of the highest civilian awards"[16] instituted in India for distinguished service.[17] [18] He was nominated in 2018 and 2023 for the Nobel Peace Prize. [19] [20]

He published his memoir 'Walk with the Weary'[21] in 2022, where he shares lessons he learned while walking along the road of life limiting illness with people who changed his outlook on what matters the most when living with a critical illness, and also at the end of life.[22] [23] [24]

Rajagopal has co-authored many Lancet Commission reports and was one of the authors of the report on 'Value of Death' published in 2022.https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/value-of-death

Positions held

Rajagopal holds the following positions:

Rajagopal is on the editorial board of several international journals and has authored/edited two textbooks, several book chapters (including Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine) and more than 30 publications in scientific journals.

Current involvement with scientific journals:

Achievements

Rajagopal is one of the founders of Pain and Palliative Care Society (PPCS) in Medical College, Calicut, Kerala in 1993.[32] In 1995, PPCS was recognized as a model demonstration project by the World Health Organization for community based palliative care activities. It set up an Institute of Palliative Medicine (IPM), with numerous link centres.

Since 1996, Rajagopal has been working with the WHO Collaborating Center at Madison-Wisconsin and with Government of India to improve opioid availability in India.

In 2003, he with colleagues created Pallium India, a registered charitable trust with the intention of spreading palliative care to areas in India where they did not exist, and for palliative care advocacy. By 2016, the organization reached 15 of India's 29 states. In 2006, Pallium India created the Trivandrum Institute of Palliative Sciences (TIPS) as its training, research and clinical demonstration unit. In 2012, TIPS was declared a WHO Collaborating Centre.

He was elected as Lifetime International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC) Board Advisor in 2012.[33]

Rajagopal is one of the five lead authors of the Lancet Commission report published in October 2017,[34] which pointed out that more than 61 million people live in pain and suffering worldwide every year without access to palliative care. The report describes a possible global strategy for correction in this huge inequity in care and suggests and a low-cost essential package which could remedy the situation.[35] [36] [37]

Rajagopal's contribution has been significant in bringing the Parliament of India to amend the draconian Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985. The Amendment was passed in 2014 Feb.[38] [39] [40]

In 2014, Rajagopal was honored by Human Rights Watch with Alison Des Forges Award for Extraordinary Activism,[41] in recognition of his efforts to defend the right of patients to live and die with dignity.

In 2017, Rajagopal was named one of the 30 most influential leaders in hospice and palliative medicine by American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM).[42]

The Government of India, in 2018, honoured Rajagopal with the Padma Shri award, "one of the highest civilian awards" for distinguished service in healthcare.

Rajagopal published his memoir 'Walk with the Weary' in 2022, sharing his journey as a palliative care advocate and practitioner.

Rajagopal co-authored many Lancet Commission reports including the 'Value of Death' report published in 2022.https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/value-of-death

Awards and honours

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: In India, a Quest to Ease the Pain of the Dying. The New York Times. 11 September 2007. 20 June 2014. McNeil. Donald G. Jr.
  2. Web site: The father of palliative care: Dr Raj . 23 October 2017 . ABC Radio Perth . 2 November 2017.
  3. Web site: On Dying Happy, On Dying Well . Saritorial.com . 20 June 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140812040321/http://www.saritorial.com/2012/02/meet-this-icon-on-dying-happy-on-dying-well/ . 12 August 2014.
  4. Web site: M. R. Rajagopal, MD . International Palliative Care Resource Centre . 20 June 2014 . dead . 19 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131219071403/http://www.ipcrc.net/news/m-r-rajagopal-india-leader/.
  5. Web site: A Visit with The Father of Palliative Care in India . Global Health Immersion Programs . 20 June 2014 . dead . 1 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140701111906/http://globalhealthimmersionprograms.org/rotations/visit-father-palliative-care-india/.
  6. Web site: MR Rajagopal: The man who spearheaded efforts to improve access to morphine . The Economic Times. 20 June 2014.
  7. Web site: M. R. Rajagopal . International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care (IAHPC) . 20 June 2014 . dead . 3 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140703221335/http://hospicecare.com/bio/mr-rajagopal/.
  8. Web site: Caring for the Terminally Ill and Those in Pain, This Man Has Helped Thousands . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170413235049/http://www.thebetterindia.com/55058/palliative-care-pallium-india/ . 13 April 2017 . 13 April 2017 . The Better India.
  9. Web site: The extraordinary doctor who makes a difference . 13 April 2017 . Rediff.com.
  10. Web site: A Push for Balanced Drug Policy Is Transforming Pain Relief in India . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160404220522/https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/push-balanced-drug-policy-transforming-pain-relief-india . 4 April 2016 . 3 April 2016 . Open Society Foundations.
  11. Web site: Hippocratic . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171016035403/http://hippocraticfilm.com/ . 16 October 2017 . 14 October 2017 . Hippocratic Film.
  12. Web site: Man on a mission to reduce unnecessary suffering . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171028150505/http://palliativecare.org.au/palliative-matters/man-on-a-mission-to-reduce-unnecessary-suffering/ . 28 October 2017 . 28 October 2017 . Palliative Care Australia.
  13. Web site: Film review: Hippocratic – 18 Experiments in Gently Shaking the World . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180601143440/http://www.ehospice.com/ArticleView/tabid/10686/ArticleId/22768/language/en-GB/View.aspx . 1 June 2018 . 28 October 2017 . eHospice International.
  14. Web site: India's father of palliative care gently shakes Australia with his insights and wisdom . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20171028151052/http://palliativecare.org.au/palliative-matters/indias-father-of-palliative-care/ . 28 October 2017 . 28 October 2017 . Palliative Care Australia.
  15. Web site: The Hippocratic Oath . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180323054207/http://www.ehospice.com/kenya/Home/tabid/1514/tabid/10674/ArticleId/22803/language/en-GB/Default.aspx . 23 March 2018 . 28 October 2017 . ehospice Kenya.
  16. Web site: Padma Awards . 2022-06-02 . www.padmaawards.gov.in.
  17. Web site: Government announces recipients of 2018 Padma awards . The Times of India. 25 January 2018.
  18. Web site: Padma awards for 'unsung heroes' . 25 January 2018 . The Hindu Business Line . 30 January 2018.
  19. Web site: Indian Palliative Care Doctor Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize . Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa . 26 July 2023.
  20. Web site: India's 'father of palliative care' brings message of community compassion to B.C. . CBC . 26 July 2023.
  21. Web site: Death without suffering .
  22. Web site: Tharoor: Memoir by Pallium India Founder Released | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India . The Times of India.
  23. Web site: M. R. Rajagopal . 2022-04-06 . www.amazon.in . en-in.
  24. Web site: M. R. Rajagopal .
  25. News: Kerala, a role model in palliative care . The Hindu. 14 July 2013 . 20 March 2016.
  26. Web site: TIPS declared as a WHO Collaborating Centre . https://web.archive.org/web/20140623140411/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/article339480.ece. dead. 23 June 2014. The New Indian Express . 20 June 2014.
  27. Web site: Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation Board . Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Foundation . 20 June 2014.
  28. Web site: Indian Journal of Palliative Care Editorial Board . Indian Journal of Palliative Care . 20 March 2016.
  29. Web site: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management Editorial Board . Journal of Pain and Symptom Management . 20 March 2016.
  30. Web site: Palliative Care: Research and Treatment . LA Press . 20 March 2016.
  31. Web site: PAIN: Clinical Updates . International Association for the Study of Pain . 20 March 2016.
  32. Web site: Doctor Who Takes Pain Out of Terminal Ailments . https://web.archive.org/web/20141125062840/http://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2014/11/22/Doctor-Who-Takes-Pain-Out-of-Terminal-Ailments/article2534586.ece. dead. 25 November 2014. The New Indian Express . 20 March 2016.
  33. Web site: M.R. Rajagopal - International Association for Hospice & Palliative Care . 2022-06-02 . hospicecare.com . en.
  34. Web site: Alleviating the access abyss in palliative care and pain relief—an imperative of universal health coverage: the Lancet Commission report . The Lancet . 28 October 2017.
  35. News: Study rues inequity in access to pain relief . The Hindu. 13 October 2017 . 28 October 2017.
  36. Web site: World Palliative Care Day: 'Palliative care inadequate' . Deccan Chronicle. 13 October 2017 . 28 October 2017.
  37. Web site: Study puts a count to suffering people in need of palliative care . The Indian Express. 13 October 2017 . 28 October 2017.
  38. Web site: A fight for life and death with dignity . The Indian Express. 30 October 2009 . 20 June 2014.
  39. News: Passing of NDPS Act Amendment Bill will make morphine more accessible . The Hindu. 22 February 2014 . 20 June 2014. Maya . C. .
  40. Web site: Why cancer patients are cheering a recent change in the narcotics law . ScrollIn News . 20 June 2014.
  41. Web site: 16 September 2014 . Rights Activists Honored . 26 September 2014 . Human Rights Watch.
  42. Web site: Visionaries in Hospice and Palliative Medicine . 6 December 2017 . American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
  43. News: US honour for Pallium India founder . The Hindu. 16 March 2018 . 17 March 2018.
  44. News: Honoured . The Hindu. 30 March 2017 . 13 April 2017.
  45. Web site: Apollo Hospitals in partnership with Network18 celebrate the 'Healers of India' at a gala event in New Delhi . Appollo Hospitals . 13 April 2017.
  46. Web site: Network18 and Apollo Hospitals Felicitate the Champions of Rural Healthcare with 'Healers of India' Awards . Country and Politics . 13 April 2017.
  47. Web site: Dr M.R.Rajagopal receives Navjeevan Inspiration of the Year award . 24 March 2017 . Pallium India . 13 April 2017.
  48. Web site: TNG Award . Asianet News TV . 25 January 2017.
  49. News: Dr MR Rajagopal wins TNG award . The Times of India. 26 January 2017 . 30 January 2017.
  50. News: TNG award for palliative care physician Dr M R Rajagopal . Business Standard. 25 January 2017 . 30 January 2017. Press Trust of India .
  51. Web site: Pallium India receives award for excellence and leadership in palliative care . ehospice . 25 August 2016.
  52. Web site: People Doctors Awards Declared . https://web.archive.org/web/20150607075932/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/People-Doctors-Awards-Declared/2015/05/15/article2814736.ece. dead. 7 June 2015. The New Indian Express . 23 September 2015.
  53. Web site: Alison Des Forges Award . 16 September 2014 . Human Rights Watch . 26 September 2014.
  54. News: Dr Palpu Award . The Hindu. 30 September 2012 . 20 June 2014.
  55. Web site: IASP's award for Excellence in Pain Research and Management . https://web.archive.org/web/20140608145339/http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/20/stories/2010092050380200.htm . dead . 8 June 2014 . . 2010-09-20 . 20 June 2014.
  56. Web site: IASP award for Excellence in Pain Management and Research in Developing Countries . IASP . 20 June 2014.
  57. Web site: Marie Nyswander award . https://web.archive.org/web/20140608110055/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/10/20/idUS148909+20-Oct-2008+PRN20081020 . dead . 8 June 2014 . Reuters . 20 June 2014.
  58. Web site: Care and Share Humanitarian Award . Care and Share . 20 June 2014.

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