1. MEDICAL CLOWNING
The Department of Palliative Medicine organised Medical Clowning. Pravin Tulpule, A Navy Veteran turned medical clown has been bridging healthcare and emotional well-being with a fun touch. A special interactive session with the staff and patients of St. John’s was planned and went well.

Clown, clown, clown! At first, everyone laughed upon hearing the word. But soon, a heated discussion began—what is clowning? What is the role of a clown in a hospital? Isn’t a clown just a joker?

By the end of the discussion, he had a bag full of answers for everyone. Mr. Praveen Tulpule, a Navy veteran turned medical clown, is bridging healthcare and emotional well-being with a touch of fun.

He began his conversation by saying, "Happy Birthday!" I was confused. What should I reply? Should I say "Thank you"? No. Should I tell him, "Today is not my birthday"? I didn’t know—I was blank. Then, I noticed different responses from others. Some replied, "Thank you." Others said, "How did you know today is my birthday?" I realized that "Happy Birthday" was his way of connecting instantly with people—a ladder to climb into their hearts.

From February 6th to 8th, he was with us in St. John’s OPD, pediatric wards, and oncology wards. He taught us that clowning is not just about being a joker—it is a therapeutic approach to improving the happiness quotient and mental well-being of patients as well as hospital staff.

His red nose brought an instant smile to a patient’s face, turning fear into laughter. His funny voice made an elderly patient chuckle, momentarily forgetting his worries. His oversized shoes made a child giggle as he stumbled playfully, lightening the hospital atmosphere.

Not everyone simply ended up smiling—some saw him as a doctor, a counselor, a friend. Some sought his blessings, while others opened up and vented their emotions in front of him. And at last he spread the fragrance of petrichor. it is easy to make others cry but not laugh and I heard that laughing is the best medicine to increase our life span, So he is literally a god kind of figure which increases our life span by making us laugh.

Magical Moments
It was a wonderful privilege to conduct a magical show in the pediatric nephrology and pediatric hematology wards of St. John's Medical College Hospital. A team from the Association of Magicians in Karnataka had approached The Palliative medicine team to organize a special magic show for the children in the wards on World Magic Day, celebrated on February 23rd. This date is considered the birth anniversary of the legendary magician, P.C. Sorcar.

Magic, as we all know, is a delightful and captivating experience that leaves us in awe. It transports us from the world of reality into a fantastical realm, making us believe that what we are witnessing is nothing short of true. The children, their parents, and the hospital staff were all part of this incredible journey. The show featured a group of talented performers who put on a spectacular treat for everyone. Umbrellas transformed into sticks, black-and-white pictures turned into vibrant colors, torn paper transformed into chocolates, and balloons were not only eaten but also pulled out from the performers' ears. All of this happened with the utterance of the magic word, “Abrakadapada.”

As the show went on, everyone, from the children to the staff, began chanting the magic word, “Abrakadapada,” with excitement and anticipation. However, when no magic happened, a surprised silence filled the room—until the magicians revealed their next act. The children's laughter filled the air as they watched in amazement. The magic show not only entertained the children but also provided them with a much-needed break from their daily struggles.

For these children, who are often burdened by the pain of illness, the tastelessness of medications, and the anxiety surrounding their treatments, the magic show offered a moment of respite. It distracted them from the worries of their disease and gave them an opportunity to just enjoy the moment. The parents, too, found relief, as the show provided them with a brief respite from the caregiving burden they carry.

In that magical hour, laughter and joy filled the air, offering the children and their families a brief escape from the reality of the hospital. It was a moment that allowed them to smile, laugh, and, for a little while, forget about the difficulties of their day-to-day lives. The magic was real in its own way—bringing joy, laughter, and a sense of hope to all those who experienced it.

Happy Hour- Paediatric Nephrology
The department of pain and palliative medicine did a happy hour session to the pediatric wards to make the children and family members relaxed and distracted from their current painful situation and from the hospital environment. The MDT team of the palliative medicine department provided different magazines to the caregivers of the children and asked them to vent out their emotions by making cutouts and pictures.

MedEx- 2024 (Medical Exhibition)
The Department of Pain and Palliative Medicine displayed advocacy related content in the form of posters and gave awareness to the public who visited the stall which was displayed at MedEx at SJMCH. Some stage programs have been planned and executed to educate the public attending the exhibition.