Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: With less than 1% of patients in need receiving palliative care in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is set to launch a multi-state implementation study to develop and scale services across the public health system.Palliative care—focused on relieving pain and improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses such as cancer, neurological disorders and advanced chronic conditions—remains largely out of reach for most Indians.The need, however, is substantial. Studies estimate that 6.21 per 1,000 people in India require palliative care, with higher demand in rural areas and among the elderly. Globally, 56.8 million people need such care every year, most of them in low- and middle-income countries.Experts warn that the burden is set to rise sharply. The World Health Organization projects an 87% increase in serious health-related suffering by 2060, driven by ageing populations and a surge in non-communicable diseases.Despite this, access in India remains among the lowest globally, with gaps driven by shortage of trained personnel, limited services at the grassroots level, regulatory barriers and poor integration into the healthcare system.For families, the impact is severe. Lack of access often leads to high out-of-pocket expenditure and significant caregiver burden, particularly for patients needing long-term or home-based care.The proposed study aims to develop and test scalable palliative care models across district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres and home-based settings, covering patients across age groups and illnesses.It will evaluate whether integrating palliative care into routine health services can improve coverage, reduce symptom burden, lower hospitalisation rates and cut costs for families.ICMR has invited research teams to participate in the study, with selected groups expected to work with state governments and the ICMR to design and implement the model.Public health experts say the initiative could mark a turning point. If scaled effectively, it could help ensure that patients not only live longer but also suffer less.
