Introduction
Palliative care is also known as supportive care, which is required in the terminal cases of Cancer, AIDS etc. and can be provided relatively simply and inexpensively. Effective palliative care requires a broad multidisciplinary approach that includes the family and makes use of available community resources. It can be provided in tertiary care facilities, in community health centres and even in patients’ homes. It improves the quality of life of patients and families who face life-threatening illness, by providing pain and symptom relief, spiritual and psychosocial support from diagnosis to the end of life and bereavement.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India constituted an expert group on Palliative care which submitted its report ‘Proposal of Strategies for Palliative Care in India’ in November, 2012. On the basis of the Report, an EPC note for 12th Five Year Plan was formulated. No separate budget is allocated for the implementation of National Palliative Care Program. However, the Palliative Care is part of the ‘Mission Flexipool’ under National Health Mission (NHM).
A model PIP, a framework of operational and financial guidelines, for the states has been designed. On the basis of a model PIP, the states/UTs may prepare their proposals related with Palliative Care and incorporate them in their respective PIPs to seek financial support under NHM.
Objectives
- To provide basic palliative care services at district level and its integration into district healthcare delivery system.
- To build capacity for delivery of palliative care services in terms of infrastructure, equipment and human resource.
- To promote community awareness and participation in the delivery of palliative care services.
- To broad-base palliative care into other related programs.
Components
- Service provision: Provision of basic palliative care services at district level.
- Capacity Building: Infrastructure development and manpower training in pain and palliative care.
- Awareness generation through IEC activities: for involvement of community including the caregivers in the delivery of palliative care
