Context: According to a report released by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), only 1-2% of the population in India who need palliative care have access to it compared to the global average of 14%.

About Palliative Care

• Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients (adults and children) and their families who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illnesses. 

• Palliative care is required for a wide range of diseases. The majority of adults in need of palliative care have chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (38.5%), cancer (34%), chronic respiratory diseases (10.3%), AIDS (5.7%) and diabetes (4.6%)

• Palliative care should be offered in conjunction with any medical treatment that a patient may be seeking, right from the time of diagnosis.

Why Palliative care is important in India?

• India stands at number three in terms of cancer incidence in the world.

• Kerala, Mizoram, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab, and Assam report the highest overall crude incidence rates of cancers which is greater than 130 cases per lakh population.

• The financial burden for cancer treatment is the highest compared to all diseases making it unaffordable for over 80% of the population. 

• The cost of single hospitalization for cancer care is three times that of any other non-communicable disease (NCDs).

• Palliative Care Policy in India: Currently only three States in India (Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra) have a palliative care policy.

Suggestions: The need of the hour is to train auxiliary nurses and Asha workers to provide counselling to cancer patients.

• The government needs to undertake efforts to include palliative care packages under reimbursement schemes of the government as well as private insurance plans.

Key steps taken by the Government against NCDs and life-threatening diseases

• Firstly, a population-based initiative for prevention, control, and screening for common NCDs i.e. diabetes, hypertension, and common cancers has been rolled out in the country under National Health Mission (NHM).

• Secondly, treatment for Cancer is also available under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). 

• Thirdly, quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all, under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the State Governments.

• Fourthly, Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions, with an objective to make available Cancer drugs at a substantial discount vis-à-vis the Maximum Retail Price. 

• Fifthly, under the umbrella scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), financial assistance is provided to families living below the threshold poverty line for their treatment, including treatment of Cancer in Government hospitals.