the Government and the National Program for Palliative Care (NPCC) was put in place in 2012. The landmark improvement however may attributed to the amendment of the, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, thereby providing access to opioids to the ones in dire need of it for pain management and palliative care. The formation of the Indian Association of Palliative Care in 1994 was also a major step forward. The growth, however, is limited when compared to the volume of population and the patients who go without the knowledge of the existence of an option or even pain relief at the end of life. Patients in India often suffer from physical, psychological and financial trauma where loans due to healthcare needs are passed onto generations. Some practitioners and pioneers recognized the trend and introduced the concept of formal palliative care. In India, the movement began primarily with the introduction of home visit programs and education of relatives and nurses. There were no funds and the organisations depended on voluntarism. The High Court Case by Mr. Ranjan Ghooi, opened gates of accessing opioids for Cancer patients as late as 1998. States like Kerala however made rapid progress by putting in place programs like “Neighborhood Networks in Palliative Care” (NNPC). The petitioner who identify palliative Care as a fundamental Right under Right to Dignitya ask that a policy should be in place, medication available without hassle and nursing staff be adequately trained. The NDPS Amendment Act has now been adopted but it the gigantic task of its implementation still hangs on the shoulders of the handful of equipped or capable individuals. The non-government agencies have to take charge to ensure expansion and implementation of the policy. The shortage of trained staff and doctors still remains a major barrier. It is hoped that the recent mandate by the World Health Association asking all member nations to align Palliative care with Mainstream Healthcare will help in the growth of awareness and infrastructure for the same.
Sparsh Hospice, Hyderabad
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