The escalating cost of treating serious illnesses is pushing patients into poverty; it’s here that palliative care comes into play. This form of care offers a solution by focusing on holistic, patient-centered care and addressing the financial burden faced by patients.
Understanding Palliative Care
Palliative care is a unique healthcare approach designed to improve the quality of life for individuals grappling with serious or life-limiting illnesses. Unlike other medical specialties that focus solely on physical health, palliative care addresses physical, emotional, and social needs. It also takes into account the socio-economic realities of patients.
The Significance of Palliative Care in Healthcare
Palliative care, as recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a human right under health rights. Its importance has been acknowledged in programs such as the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases 2013–2020. The early introduction of palliative care in advanced disease stages can reduce healthcare expenditure by up to 25%, thereby providing economic relief to patients. Moreover, it emphasizes vocational rehabilitation and social reintegration, thus allowing patients and their families to maintain their dignity while earning a living.
The Palliative Care Scenario in India
Despite the need for palliative care, only 14% of patients receive it. This can be attributed to multiple factors, including insufficient investment in healthcare and limited awareness and understanding of palliative care amongst both patients and healthcare providers. Furthermore, the lack of uniformity in the healthcare infrastructure across India poses further challenges in the accessibility of palliative care services.
Limitations and Challenges in Accessing Palliative Care
In India, the healthcare system’s inadequate investment has led to a backlog of palliative care services, thereby limiting their availability for patients with life-limiting illnesses. Additionally, the limited understanding of palliative care among patients, their families, and healthcare providers leads to its delayed or insufficient utilization. The existing healthcare infrastructure in India is highly inconsistent, with advanced facilities concentrated in urban areas while palliative care services in rural and remote regions remain limited.
Palliative Care Programs and Initiatives in India
Although there’s no dedicated budget for palliative care in India, it’s part of ‘Mission Flexipool’ under the National Health Mission and the National Program for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases launched in 2010. These initiatives provide comprehensive healthcare services at all levels, although they are mostly focused on preventable and curative care.
The Way Forward
To improve the current state of palliative care in India, clear, uniform policies and regulations need to be implemented at both national and state levels. Public awareness campaigns should be launched to educate patients, their families, and healthcare providers about the benefits and scope of palliative care. Furthermore, allocating sufficient resources to the National Program for Palliative Care and ensuring that insurance schemes cover palliative care services is a must. Capitalizing on technology can also prove beneficial by providing remote palliative care consultations and monitoring through telemedicine, mobile health apps, and wearable devices.
