Maharashtra Hospitals Expand Palliative Care Reach

Maharashtra's health department is launching a comprehensive palliative care program across all state hospitals. This initiative significantly expands home-based services to include patients suffering from chronic pain due to conditions like heart, liver, kidney, and lung failure, as well as stroke, Parkinson's, dementia, and child palliative care needs. Previously, home services were limited to cancer patients in select districts.

The program's objective is to provide physical pain control, psycho-social support, and family counseling. Health Minister Prakash Abitkar stated the goal is to ensure dignified end-of-life care, addressing the rising incidence of chronic diseases in the state. Trained healthcare providers will offer preliminary care, including counseling and physiotherapy, at health centers.

A door-to-door survey by ASHA workers, concluding by February 21, will identify patients. Community health officers, BAMS doctors, or trained nurses will then deliver care, with ANMs and CMOs making home visits as needed. Palliative care beds will be available in district hospitals, offering 24-hour nursing and essential medicines.

This facility is entirely free of cost for patients. Effective painkillers, previously available only at district hospitals, will now be accessible at primary health centers. The services will be available from the point of disease diagnosis throughout the treatment period.