– NEW DELHI: With less than 1% of patients in need receiving palliative care in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is set to launch a multi-state implementation study to develop and scale services across the public health system.Palliative care—focused on relieving pain and improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses such as cancer, neurological disorders and advanced chronic conditions—remains largely out of reach for most Indians.The need, however, is substantial. Studies estimate that 6.21 per 1,000 people in India require palliative care, with higher demand in rural areas and among the elderly. Globally, 56.8 million people need such care every year, most of them in low- and middle-income countries.Experts warn that the burden is set to rise sharply. The World Health Organization projects an 87% increase in serious health-related suffering by 2060, driven by ageing populations and a surge in non-communicable diseases.Despite this, access in India remains among the lowest globally, with gaps driven by shortage of trained personnel, limited services at the grassroots level, regulatory barriers and poor integration into the healthcare system.For families, the impact is severe. Lack of access often leads to high out-of-pocket expenditure and significant caregiver burden, particularly for patients needing long-term or home-based care.The proposed study aims to develop and test scalable palliative care models across district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres and home-based settings, covering patients across age groups and illnesses.It will evaluate whether integrating palliative care into routine health services can improve coverage, reduce symptom burden, lower hospitalisation rates and cut costs for families.ICMR has invited research teams to participate in the study, with selected groups expected to work with state governments and the ICMR to design and implement the model.Public health experts say the initiative could mark a turning point. If scaled effectively, it could help ensure that patients not only live longer but also suffer less.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos10 Indian Ships Cross Sensitive Hormuz Stretch As India Engages Iran For SecurityNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil NaduPiyush Goyal Slams India-South Korea CEPA, Flags Need To Rewrite ‘Irrational’ Trade DealDelhi High Court Rejects Recusal Plea in Excise Policy Case; Judge Calls It “Catch-22” for HerselfUdhampur Bus Tragedy Kills 21; Political Row Erupts Over I-Pac In Bengal | WatchIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? Zelenskyy Signals Big Move Amid Russia Ukraine WarUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And Energy123PhotostoriesSimple AC maintenance tips to avoid costly repairs5 cities in India with high rents where housing comes at a premium priceDid Alia Bhatt just front a Pakistani label in silk suits, or is this another viral fashion mix-up? Here’s what we know6 Psychology hacks that actually work6 types of food you should not store in plastic containers: Food authority’s strict guidelines on plastic materials safe for food productsMay garden checklist, Australia: What to plant for non-stop color and harvest8 condiments you should never keep back in the refrigerator once openedFrom two small spots in her MRI scan to losing 2 kgs in a month and following intermittent fasting, Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar talk about her health3 signs of a loyal partner, as revealed by Gauranga DasThese are the only 5 nations in the world that begin with letter “D” and each tells a unique story123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingLuka Doncic InjuryCardi BNoah LylesHailee Steinfeld heartbreaking confessionTaylor SwiftMike Vrabel DivorceAndhra Pradesh Murderh-1b VisasIPL Orange CapCody Rhodes
NEW DELHI: With less than 1% of patients in need receiving palliative care in India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is set to launch a multi-state implementation study to develop and scale services across the public health system.Palliative care—focused on relieving pain and improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses such as cancer, neurological disorders and advanced chronic conditions—remains largely out of reach for most Indians.The need, however, is substantial. Studies estimate that 6.21 per 1,000 people in India require palliative care, with higher demand in rural areas and among the elderly. Globally, 56.8 million people need such care every year, most of them in low- and middle-income countries.Experts warn that the burden is set to rise sharply. The World Health Organization projects an 87% increase in serious health-related suffering by 2060, driven by ageing populations and a surge in non-communicable diseases.Despite this, access in India remains among the lowest globally, with gaps driven by shortage of trained personnel, limited services at the grassroots level, regulatory barriers and poor integration into the healthcare system.For families, the impact is severe. Lack of access often leads to high out-of-pocket expenditure and significant caregiver burden, particularly for patients needing long-term or home-based care.The proposed study aims to develop and test scalable palliative care models across district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centres and home-based settings, covering patients across age groups and illnesses.It will evaluate whether integrating palliative care into routine health services can improve coverage, reduce symptom burden, lower hospitalisation rates and cut costs for families.ICMR has invited research teams to participate in the study, with selected groups expected to work with state governments and the ICMR to design and implement the model.Public health experts say the initiative could mark a turning point. If scaled effectively, it could help ensure that patients not only live longer but also suffer less.
