Putting compassion and palliative care first

Underfunding and Underutilization of Palliative Care

• Palliative care, a specialized form of health care, is underutilized in India, with only 1%-2% of the estimated seven million to 10 million people in India receiving it annually.

• The World Health Organization reports that an estimated 40 million people globally require palliative care each year, with 78% of them living in low and middle-income countries.

The Rising Demand for Palliative Care

• The global rise in noncommunicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions has increased the demand for palliative care.

• India’s health-care system is already strained, making it essential to integrate palliative care to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and ease the emotional and financial burden on families.

Challenges in India’s Palliative Care System

• The National Health Policy of 2017 included palliative care, but access remains uneven, especially in rural areas and among economically disadvantaged populations.

• The shortage of trained professionals in palliative care is a primary barrier, with many doctors lacking specialized training.

• Limited funding and lack of proper infrastructure further exacerbate the challenges.

Linking Palliative Care with Medical Education

• Integrating palliative care into the core MBBS curriculum is crucial to equip medical professionals with the skills and empathy required to address end-of-life care.

• Task-shifting (delegating responsibilities to trained allied health-care workers) is a viable solution.

• Policymakers should allocate dedicated funding for palliative care programs, expand insurance coverage to include palliative care, and empower allied health professionals.

Raising Public Awareness

• Public awareness campaigns can demystify palliative care and encourage early access to services.

• The United States’ well-established palliative care system is a model that India can learn from, balancing costs and dignity.

• India can study and adapt these practices while considering its unique cultural, demographic, and economic context.