IAS/UPSC Coaching Institute  

03 Jul 2025 : Integrating compassion, prioritising palliative care

 Editorial 1: Integrating compassion, prioritising palliative care

Context

This type of special care doesn’t get enough money or use in India, leaving millions of people without the help they need.

 

Introduction

In India, millions suffer needlessly, highlighting the urgent need to include palliative care in the healthcare system. Palliative care helps bring comfort and dignity to people facing life-threatening illnesses. However, even though it is known to be effective, it still receives very little funding and is not widely used, leaving many without the care they truly need.

 

Urgent Need to Integrate Palliative Care into India’s Healthcare System

  • Palliative care is a special kind of care that looks after a person’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
  • Unlike treatments that try to cure diseases, palliative care aims to relieve pain, reduce suffering, and improve quality of life for both patients and their families.
  • As per the World Health Organization (WHO), around 40 million people worldwide need palliative care each year, with 78% of them living in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Shockingly, only 14% of people who need this care actually receive it.
  • In India, about 7 to 10 million people need palliative care each year, but only 1% to 2% get access to it.
  • This shows a huge gap and highlights the urgent need for strong policies and better healthcare planning.
  • The demand for palliative care is rising because of the increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illnesses.
  • India’s already overstretched healthcare system needs to include palliative care to help reduce unnecessary hospital visits and ease the emotional and financial stress on families.

 

The challenges in India

Aspect

Explanation

Policy Inclusion

The 2017 National Health Policy included palliative care, which was a major step in addressing the care gap.

Recent Developments

Efforts like training programs, community outreach, and global partnerships have helped develop the field.

Current Access

Access to palliative care is still limited, especially in rural areas and among the poor. Around 7.2 million people in India need it every year, but system issues block proper delivery.

Manpower Challenges

A shortage of trained palliative care professionals is a big issue. Most doctors do not have the necessary special training in pain and end-of-life care.

Doctor-Population Ratio

India has a doctor-population ratio of 1:834, better than the WHO norm of 1:1000, but very few are trained in palliative care.

Funding and Infrastructure

Low funding and weak infrastructure make the situation worse. Palliative care is present in primary health care but is not well integrated into higher-level hospitals.

Public Awareness

Many people still do not know what palliative care is, which causes delays and misunderstandings in getting help.

 

Linking it with medical education

Aspect

Explanation

Medical Training

Strengthening doctors’ ability to provide palliative care, especially in underserved areas, is essential.

Curriculum Integration

Including palliative care in MBBS courses is crucial to build both skills and empathy for end-of-life care.

Ongoing Initiatives

Programmes by ICMR and AIIMS show some progress in promoting pain and palliative care.

Task-Shifting Strategy

Due to a lack of specialists, task-shifting (training nurses and health workers to take on key roles) is a practical solution.

Workforce Potential

India has 34.33 lakh registered nurses and 13 lakh allied health professionals. With targeted training, they can provide holistic care, especially in rural and low-resource settings.

Policy Support

Policymakers need to see long-term benefits of investing in palliative care—better outcomes and reduced health system pressure.

Funding and Infrastructure

Governments should provide dedicated funding and ensure all facilities (public and private) have proper infrastructure for palliative care.

Insurance Inclusion

Schemes like Ayushman Bharat should cover palliative care services to reduce financial burden on patients.

Role of NGOs and Private Sector

Partnerships with NGOs and private hospitals can speed up the spread and availability of palliative care facilities.

Raising public awareness

  • Public awareness campaigns can help clear misunderstandings about palliative care and promote early access to services.
  • Many people don’t realise that palliative care is not just for the end of life — it also includes pain relief, emotional support, and better quality of life during serious illnesses.
  • Educating communities about these benefits can increase demand for services and lead to better policies.
  • In the United States, palliative care is supported by strong funding, insurance coverage, and a hospice care system.
  • The U.S. model shows how investing in end-of-life care leads to high-quality, patient-centered care, even though it requires significant spending.
  • India can learn from this model but must adjust it to fit its own cultural, economic, and demographic realities.
  • Ongoing research and using evidence-based methods are key to improving how care is given and ensuring better patient outcomes.

 

Conclusion

Bringing palliative care into India’s healthcare system is now essential. To make real change, India needs a broad strategy that focuses on a few key areas. First, it must build capacity by training more healthcare workers and improving services. Second, palliative care should be included in medical education, so future doctors are prepared to give this kind of care. Third, it's important to train and support allied health professionals like nurses and health workers who can help provide this care. Lastly, India must fix larger system issues such as low funding, poor infrastructure, and lack of public awareness. Taken together, these steps can greatly improve end-of-life care for millions across the country.